WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2020 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
VOLUME 111 | ISSUE 17
COVID-19 Tracker p. 2 Public Safety Blotter p. 2 Celebrations from Wilmington & Center City p.2
President-elect Joe Biden & Vice President-elect Kamala Harris
A Tradition Reimagined: SPO Fall Fest Goes Virtual p. 3 West Campus Holds Event after Vandalism p. 3 Students Share Post-Election Thoughts p. 4 The University’s New Sustainability Plan: In Theory and Action p. 5 Letter from the Editors: Slow the Spike p. 6 Stacey Abram’s Vital Role in Changing Georgia Politics p. 8 Society of Veterans Affairs Celebrates Veterans Day p. 10 Club Spotlight: Student Musical Theater p. 10 Vlas Parlapanides ’93 Talks “Blood of Zeus” p. 11 Advice for Freshmen Rushing a Sorority p. 12 The Gentrification of Thrift Shopping p. 12 Siegrest Unanimously named to Preseason All-Big East Team p. 14 A Special Addition to Women’s Soccer p. 15 University Annoucnes Plans to Allow Students at Men’s Baksebtall Games in 2021 p. 15
A girl holds sign reading “His & Her Story, Biden Harris 2020” at a celebration in Center City on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2020. Courtesy of Sophie Vandervelde
Emily Cox Co-Editor-in-Chief
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. won the 2020 presidential election, defeating incumbent President Donald Trump in a closely watched battle, particularly in the swing state of Pennsylvania. The Associated Press called the race on Saturday morning after Biden was projected to win Pennsylvania, giving him more than the 270 Electoral College votes necessary to claim the White House. Biden crossed the threshold in the state after more than three days of nationwide uncertainty, as election officials sorted through surges of main-in ballots that delayed the counting process. Biden offered himself to the United States as a leader who “seeks not to divide, but to unify” a country in the midst of a pandemic and socio-economic unrest. He used his acceptance speech as an olive branch to American citizens who did not vote for him or his running mate. Biden asked to be given a chance. “I sought to restore the soul of America,” Biden said at a Saturday evening victory speech in Delaware, “and to make America respected around the world again and to unite us here at home.” He stressed uniting the nation and bringing a divided America back together. “It’s time to put away the harsh rhetoric, to lower the temperature, to see each
other again, to listen to each other again, to make progress, we must stop treating our opponents as our enemy,” Biden said. “We are not enemies. We are Americans.” Biden’s campaign strategy came as an appeal to Americans wanting a return to a more traditional presidency and tired of Trump’s divisive leadership. This proved effective and resulted in victories in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania that elected Trump in the 2016 election. Biden’s running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris, also made history on Saturday, She will be the first woman to serve as vice president, and she will be the first Blakc woman and Asian American to serve in the office. On Saturday night, Biden introduced Harris to the crowd as “a president for all Americans.” “Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourselves in a way that others may not simply because they’ve never seen it before,” Harris said. “You chose hope and unity, decency, science and yes, truth.” Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and raised in Delaware, Biden was one of the youngest candidates elected to the Senate. He eventually became chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees. While he was highly revered as a politician, some aspects of his record drew scrutiny from other Democrats. His support for the 1994 crime bill, vote for the 2003 Iraq War and
his management of Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court Hearings have been points of critique. This year was not the first time voters across the country saw Biden’s name in the mix as a presidential hopeful. Biden’s 1998 presidential campaign was ended after plagiarism allegations, and his 2008 bid ended quietly. That year, he was chosen as Barack Obama’s running mate, and he became Vice President of the United States, steering the administration’s outreach to both Washington and Iraq. In 2016, Biden opted not to run after his son Beau died of brain cancer the year before. President Trump is the first incumbent president to lose since George H.W. Bush in 1992. Trump has so far refused to concede, threatening further legal action on ballot counting in states across the country. In speeches given since last Tuesday and in various tweets, Trump has accused counties of ballot counting abuse. Many of Trump’s tweets have been flagged by Twitter with warning signs reading, “This claim about election fraud is disputed.” Trump’s refusal to concede has no legal implications, but it could further add to the daunting task ahead for Biden and Harris in uniting the country after a divisive election. This election also saw the largest number of voters in a United States presidential election in history, reflecting Americans’ deep interest in the race. A record 103 million
voted early this year. While some states were still counting over the weekend, Biden received more than 75 million votes, which is more than any presidential candidate in history. Biden received calls of congratulations from world leaders and former presidents. “Joe’s got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way,” Obama said. Some conservative lawmakers rejected the declaration of Biden’s victory, while some Republicans offered congratulations. “It’s time to come together,” Representative Will Hurd of Texas tweeted. “America has spoken and we must respect the decision.” Neither Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel nor House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy commented on Saturday. Biden urged both sides to begin working together and avoiding political gridlock during his speech on Saturday evening. “The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control,” Biden said. “It’s a decision. It’s a choice we make, and if we can decide not to cooperate, then we can decide to cooperate.” The tally of votes by The Associated Press remains preliminary until certified by individual states. The Electoral College votes in December, and final results are announced in Congress in January.
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PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER
VOL. 111 | ISS. 17 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, November 11, 2020
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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
Disorderly Conduct / Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness October 14 South Campus Grounds A female resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public acting disorderly and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.
Paraphernalia / Possession - Marajuana October 21-22 W-2 Resident Student Lot Three female residents students and one non-affiliated female were in possession of a small amount of marijuana, THC cartridges, and paraphernalia.
Sexual Assault October 18 On-Campus Residence Hall A female resident student reported that she was sexually assaulted by a known male resident student.
Public Drunkenness October 22 Friar Hall A female resident student, over the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.
CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES AS OF 8:00 P.M. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
271
Villanova University
15,402
CORRECTIONS 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.
CAMPUS CALENDAR The Real Sister Act: Confronting the Uneasy History of Segregation and Exclusion in Female Religious Life November 11 6:00 p.m. Virtual
COVID-19 TRACKER
CPJE Fall Film Series: Crip Camp November 16 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Virtual
Service Learning Partnership Event November 20 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Virtual
NOVA Quizzo November 12 9:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. The Oreo
BRIDGE Society: Networking & Mentoring Event Focused on Careers in Law, Government, and Politics November 18 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Virtual
Final Day of Classes November 23 All Day Virtual
Mindfulness Monday November 16 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual
2020 Nursing Career Day November 20 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Virtual
Reading Day November 24 All Day
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
238,657 Pennsylvania
10,559,184 United States
51,729,219 Worldwide
Victory Celebrations from Wilmington and Center City Grant Carter Co-Culture Editor As night fell last Friday, the nation was gripped by the same uncertainty that first set in on Tuesday, when election results first poured into the news. Five states had yet to be called, even as Biden overtook Trump’s lead in many of them, including Pennsylvania, a critical swing state for either candidate. At any moment, it was expected to be called, finally pushing Biden over the 270 electoral vote margin required to secure the White House. By 7 p.m. in Wilmington, Delaware — just miles from the Biden family home — excited crowds gathered outside the Chase Convention Center, where his campaign had completely commandeered a Westin Hotel as a temporary headquarters. A fence surrounded the entire complex, forcing onlookers to watch the stage anxiously for any sign of Biden’s arrival. Campaign supporters, press, and traffic was heavy for several blocks, and parking was a nightmare for anyone who dared to attend. The tension in the air was palpable. No one knew if or when Biden and Harris were expected to show, or whether it might be a victory speech, or just another gesture of reassurance to the millions of voters who had supported them. The dropping temperatures had no effect on the crowd’s excitement, and as Biden and Harris pulled into the scene via armored motorcade, they were met with the
same waving signs and overwhelming cheers as every night for the last week. Although the speech was short, it was well-met by the crowd, many of whom were streaming it live on smartphones. Despite there being no definitive results at the time, the scene in Wilmington was markedly more optimistic than anything seen since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 11:30 a.m. the next morning, many major networks, including The Associated Press, called Pennsylvania for Biden, thus projecting him to become the President-elect. The nation erupted. Celebrations immediately took to the streets, from San Francisco to Boston. For the first time seemingly all year, the masses took to the streets to celebrate rather than demonstrate. “This weekend was one of the greatest experiences I have had in a long time,” senior Elena Rossi said. “I wish I were home in New York City for the celebrations. My brother was there and was constantly sending me videos throughout the day. There is so much hope, something I think Americans have needed for awhile now.” For many University students, it is a day that will likely be remembered for years to come. Many had the opportunity to be first-time voters in one of the most critical voting districts to both candidates, helping to directly contribute to the final stroke of Biden’s victory. Upon hearing the news, many students rushed to Center City, only a few miles from campus,
where some of the nation’s largest celebrations were underway. Biden’s victory was especially sweet for many Philadelphians, who have not forgotten a comment made by President Trump at the first Presidential debate in September, “Bad things happen in Philadelphia.” The phrase was a common motif on signs and t-shirts at the celebrations. Back in Wilmington that night, Biden-Harris supporters again gathered at the Chase Center, after five long days of waiting in uncertainty, to hear the victory speech. “It was amazing,” senior Lauren Carroll said, who made the short drive to hear the speech herself. “This year was the first time I got to vote in a presidential election and going to the speech was a concrete way to see how important that contribution was. It was empowering being surrounded by people who were excited
and hopeful about the future. I do not think ‘hopeful’ is a word that has been applicable to much of this last year, so it really gripped me.” The election results will not be officially confirmed until December and continue to come under attack from the Trump campaign and the President himself. However, the controversy is unlikely to have any substantial effects on the outcome, and it is with near certainty that Biden and Harris will be sworn in on January 20th at the National Mall in Washington D.C. The celebrations that are certain to follow the inauguration are as well-founded as the ones this weekend. Although the future of the nation remains uncertain in many respects, hope seems to have reigned this weekend, marking the end of a long, tense election cycle, making way for new progress in the years ahead.
Biden supporters gather in Wilmington on Friday night. Courtesy of Grant Carter
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
NEWS
The Villanovan | 3
A Tradition Reimagined: SPO Fall Fest Goes Virtual way that we had athlete interaction this weekend, in my opinion, we were having dance parties and doing stretches in our living rooms Last weekend, the Villanoand kitchens,” he said. va Special Olympics Committee For all its challenges, the held the 32nd Annual Special virtual format had undeniable Olympics Fall Festival, and like benefits, too. Ordinarily, the Fall many events during this unprecFest’s participants almost excluedented semester, it looked a bit sively hail from Pennsylvania, but different than usual. The comthis year’s easily-accessible format mittee, determined to hold the allowed for athletes and viewers beloved event this fall despite the from all over the country, and even constraints of COVID-19, created the world, to tune in to the festivia completely virtual festival. ties. The fundamental goal of “We were able to reach the Fall Festival transcends its so many athletes who normally format, as best explained by Nick wouldn’t have been able to attend Conti, this year’s Festival Director. Fall Fest,” Conti said. “Our mission is centered He mentioned the website around inclusion of individuhad visitors from Texas, Califorals with and without disabilities, Members of Special Olympics Committee on the roller skating rink. nia, Washington, Ireland, France Courtesy of Special Olympics Media and Publicity and even Malaysia, among others, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, anything,” Conti said. “This over the weekend. year, we really tried to move that could not be held on campus, including a schedule for the week- Another impactful aspect mission of inclusion to a virtual questions arose surrounding how end, virtual opening and closing unique to this year’s festival was setting.” the festival would look and work. ceremonies, introduction videos the committee’s creation and dis This year’s festival theme, The Villanova Special Olymfor each sport and “Healthy Hab- tribution of individualized pack“The spotlight is yours; together pics Committee took the massive its” information clips, all produced ages for each athlete, which was a we shine,” showcased that mission. challenge in stride, however, and by students. custom drawstring bag full of Fall Playing on an idea of “rolling out began to adapt in creative ways. Additionally, despite diffiFest gear and gifts. the red carpet” for the athletes, One of the most logisticulties posed by going virtual, the “We brought what aththe theme’s meaning was twocally important considerations festival still included competitions letes normally get during Fall Fest fold: spotlighting athletes to raise was fundraising. In response to in bocce, long-distance running weekend to them this year, in a awareness while also emphasizing this year’s circumstances, Conti and walking, powerlifting, roller very physical, tangible way,” Conti the importance of community, in- explained that the fundraising skating, soccer, volleyball and flag said. clusive of those with and without committee looked for new avenues football. Instead of participating Athletes had overwhelmdisabilities. to finance the festival, like selling on campus, athletes competed ingly positive reactions toward “We’re giving the athletes custom Fall Festival masks. individually by recording and those efforts to include and reach the spotlight for the weekend, and Alongside the commitsubmitting their times or scores out to participants directly. Spethroughout their lives as well, and tee’s inventive fundraising efforts, several weeks in advance to allow cifically, Conti described countless the ‘together we shine’ aspect inhistoric donations by alumni and time for organizing and scoring photos and videos sent in by athvolves lifting each other up,” Conti members of the University comsubmissions before Fall Fest week- letes wearing their Fall Fest bags said. munity massively helped to fund end. and using the customized water In hindsight, this theme, the festival. Although having combottles from their athlete packs. which the committee chose back In fact, the Special Olympetitions in advance did create This weekend’s Fall Fest in February before the reality of pics Committee received a resomewhat of a “weird dynamic,” was like no other in the festival’s coronavirus fully set in, turned out cord-breaking sum of donations as Conti noted, missing some of history at Villanova, but, in many to be a fortuitous choice. from 1842 Day benefactors, an the comradery and community of ways, it displayed the Special “It was really the perfect inspiring show of support for the live competitions, the SpO ComOlympics’ mission of inclusion theme to go virtual with,” Concommittee’s remarkable undertak- petitions Committee organized and unity better than ever before. ti said, noting the creative ways ing of the virtual Fall Fest. Zoom conferences throughout the The Special Olympics members of the SpO Committee In planning the festival day Saturday to maintain that fun, Committee’s seamless translation incorporated Hollywood-esque itself, the committee continued united energy and emulate in-per- of the massive on-campus event elements in video production and to think outside the box, turning son interactions on campus. into a virtual format showed the editing to serve the virtual format. primarily to technological tools. Conti celebrated the Zoom power of creativity and commu When the Special OlymNotably, they created a website, meetings’ ability to bring particinity over distance, resulting in a pics of Pennsylvania confirmed www.virtualfallfest.org, that served pants together. resoundingly successful virtual Fall in mid-July that the 2020 Fall Fest as a hub for festival resources, “That was really the best Fest. Jackie Thomas Staff Writer
West Campus Holds Door Tag Event after Incidents, Vandalism of Messages Including “Black Lives Matter” Sarah Wisniewski Staff Writer West Campus residents were invited to participate in a door tag event in response to several incidents of vandalism within the apartment buildings. West Campus Area Coordinator Danielle Stine, MA, sent an email to all students living on West Campus about complaints of white boards in the hallways having messages erased or tampered with in the past few weeks. The complaints filed were by students who had specifically written messages, such as “Black Lives Matter,” or other opinions on the boards outside their apartments. There were further incidents reported where students with “ethnic names,” as described in the email sent to all residents, had their
door tags ripped down, destroyed or thrown out. “We on West Campus will not stand for these actions,” Stine said. “I and my staff support our entire community that works to create and uphold a comfortable and healthy residential experience. We support and stand with our BIPOC residents.” There have not yet been any students disciplined for these incidents. However, students were warned that their actions will not go unpunished if the incidents continue. In certain situations, depending on the circumstances of the vandalization, actions may also be considered a bias-related incident. In these cases, students may experience more serious consequences. Resident advisers within the West Campus buildings have been trained to deal with any future incidents in a professional and
unbiased way. Their responsibility in these matters is to report the full details to higher-ups and thoroughly explain the situation so appropriate measures may be taken. “Be assured, students who are found vandalizing campus or resident property will be referred to the Dean of Students office and will be held responsible for their actions,” Stine said. On Nov. 2, after several postponements due to poor weather, the door tag event was held in Jackson Hall. The event was open to all residents of West Campus. To further a sense of community and allow for students to express themselves or their opinions, students were provided with supplies to create a sign or poster displaying their names in their own personal style. Some students chose to voice political opinions on their
posters, while other residents opted for more lighthearted designs. The purpose of the event was to allow students to choose what they wanted to express with their door tags, and that was seen in the variety of tags made. One of the Resident Advisers in Welsh Hall, David Cheng, described the event as an opportunity to see the creativity of Villanova students and the further a sense of community for all West Campus residents. “With COVID making it so hard to build community connections, this event was also a way to see some new faces and form new friendships,” Cheng said. “For the residents who were the unfortunate victims of vandalism, this event was to emphasize that they are not alone, and the West Campus area staff stands in support with our BIPOC residents.”
4 | The Villanovan
NEWS
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Students Share Post-Election Thoughts and Emotions Sarah Sweeney Staff Writer On Tuesday, Nov. 3, students assembled in dorm rooms, attended socially-distanced watch parties and congregated in dorm lounges to watch the year’s most anticipated event: the 2020 presidential election. With Democrats, Independents and even self-proclaimed “never Trump” Republicans forming a coalition to back former Vice President Joseph Biden against incumbent President Trump and his fervent supporters, this election proved to be the most highly contested yet. The election’s importance weighed upon students, as they waited for more than three days for the news that Biden would be the 46th President of the United States, with Senator Kamala Harris as his Vice President. Senior Spanish and Communication major Christina Iglesias shared her anxiety about awaiting election results. “It was overwhelming to focus on schoolwork while staying informed about the election,” she said. “Every other minute I was checking the news to see if anything had changed. I ended up deleting my social media accounts until the winner was announced on Saturday because the situation was making me incredibly anxious and I couldn’t focus on my work.” Sophomore Accounting, International Business and Spanish
University tas: The
major Colette Termaat reported similar feelings. “The first night watching the election was really stressful because things weren’t looking as good as they did and I didn’t go to sleep until about 4 a.m. after Trump had his address,” she said. “I didn’t know if I would get any work done for the rest of the week because I was on my phone checking election results almost every minute of every day from Tuesday to Friday.” On Nov. 3, the day before the election, University President Rev. Peter Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. sent an email to the Villanova community, urging members to remain respectful. “Although we may not always agree with one another or feel the same way about key issues, let’s promote good citizenship, be respectful and remember that at the end of the day, we are all Villanovans,” he said. For the most part, students reported the campus living up to this expectation. “I didn’t really feel any tensions between Biden and Trump supporters mostly because I’m not friends with any Trump supporters,” Termaat said. “I did, however, unfollow quite a few people on Instagram throughout the few days of the election week.” “I remember walking past what seemed to be a Trump party in St. Monica’s lounge – a few people wearing MAGA hats and cheering pro-Trump slogans,” one student, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted. “Although I definite-
Releases Presidential
by Roger Fisher, Associate Director of Intergroup Relations, and Charles Behling, a retired Psychology faculty member at the University of Michigan, for an Intergroup On Oct. 30, Aequitas, the University’s Presidential Task Force Dialogue Program to prepare for the complexities of discussing race. on Race, shared the results of the In their third and fourth first few months of its work with meetings, members began outthe community. Formed this past lining themes and objectives for summer, Aequitas was a response Aequitas. These now finalized goal to the increased awareness of themes and objectives are: racial inequality and incidents of Academic Anti-Racist racism on the University’s campus, Evaluation: Encourage all deas reported by the @BlackVillapartments and academic programs nova Instagram account. The task force is led by Teresa Nance, Ph.D., to undertake a systematic evaluation of the underlying assumptions the Vice President of the Office of their disciplines related to race. of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Diversity Course and (ODEI), and it comprises a number of University students, staff, faculty IGR: Work with the Colleges and their Deans to offer a course and alumni. required of all Villanova students Since its inception, Aequiand focused on a study of race and tas has held four official meetings. racism to enhance dialogue across The first meeting, held on July varied groups and perspectives. 27, served to examine the current Diverse Community: In structure of Diversity, Equity and line with the Strategic Plan: RootInclusion at the University. It also ed. Restless., increase the numbers introduced Task Force members of Black and minoritized members to their charges, as outlined by of our community, particularly University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D.: work students, senior staff and faculty. Campus Climate: Review to develop a University diversity all relevant climate data related to course, set goals to increase the the perceptions of Black and minumber of Black and minoritized noritized students, faculty and staff Villanova community members regarding their lives on campus. and review climate data related Race and Policing: The to the perceptions of Black and minoritized individuals on campus. Aequitas Task Force, with representatives from the Office of Diver During its second meeting, sity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) Task Force members were joined Sarah Sweeney Staff Writer
I blasted “Party in the USA” and were dancing to ‘Mamma Mia’ for a good half hour, and it just felt like I had a giant weight lifted off my shoulder that I didn’t even realize was there for the last four years,” Termaat said. “From what I heard on campus everyone was super excited and I think everyone’s just glad that we got to be a part of the state that really decided the election, which felt really good for most people our age being first-time voters in a presidential election,” Termaat said when asked to describe the campus climate as a whole following the results being announced. On the Monday followStudents join celebrations in Philadelphia. ing the announcement of election Courtesy of Lauren Jones results, students reported being able ly felt uneasy about it as a Biden to focus better in classes, with the supporter, I tried not to let it get the dread and uncertainty about the best of me and didn’t say anything future replaced with hope, certainty to them.” and optimism. If one word could describe A major source of this optithe campus reaction to Biden’s vicmism? Joe Biden’s VP pick – Kamatory, it would likely be relief. la Harris. “I found out Biden won five “I couldn’t be happier about minutes after I woke up Saturday the significance of having the first morning,” freshman Economics ma- Black and South Asian woman in jor Basia Holowenczak said. “When the White House,” Holowenczak I heard that Biden won, I was just said. overcome by a sense of relief. Biden “Politics can be boring winning will not automatically solve again,” Termaat said.“I really don’t the divisiveness in this country, but want to have to be as involved as I I have so much relief knowing our have been. However, I also see peocountry will have a president that ple our age being way more politiwon’t try to divide us further.” cally involved than our parents were Termaat had a similar expe- and more than their parents were. rience. I think this election has pushed all “I was in my apartment of us to become really educated in doing my laundry when I heard the our politics and push further than results, and I immediately started ourselves in understanding how the crying and then my roommates and world works in our country works.”
Progress of AequiTask Force on Race
and the Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OSPIE) and in conjunction with Public Safety and the Police Oversight Committee, will determine what data, trends or numbers are available to inform a review of policies that potentially impact matters of race and policing on campus. Student Relations: The Student Relations Committee will work to ensure that the overall student experience aligns with each objective of the Aequitas Task Force and the Aequitas Anti-Racism Statement, which is still under development. Communications: Conduct a racial equity audit of the University’s written and visual communications, which will culminate in recommendations on external communications, internal messaging and organizational review practices as they pertain to goals related to racial equity. Each of the goals includes tentative deadlines, with hopes to roll out many of the new changes in Spring 2021 and Fall 2021. Among the plans students are most hopeful about is the mandated Intergroup Relations (IGR) Course, with the University working to adapt current courses to include a one-credit IGR component or make new stand-alone one-credit IGR courses. Right now, only students in the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences are mandated to take “diversity” courses. There has long been a push to expand this requirement to the Villanova School of Business, the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing and the College of Engineering, including a change. org petition, which garnered over 5,700 signatures this past summer. “I’m optimistic that Father Peter and the University is finally listening to the voice of over 6,000 people within the student body, faculty and community after years of taking no tangible action to protect the people of color on campus,” Haseeb Waseem, the creator of the petition, said. “We need to place pressure for them to commit to a timeline of when to expect these changes to finally be in the curriculum; it does not help that we do not have that, because metrics such as these ensure accountability,” he continued. He concluded by praising student activists on campus. “I will never put any success of antiracism on the shoulders of the administration but rather on the strenuous effort from student activism on campus forcing the administration to act,” he said. Nance also recognized the importance of Villanovans in shaping a more equitable community. “Greater community involvement is imperative toward creating a more just and equitable Villanova,” she said.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
The Villanovan | 5
OPINION
OPINION
Villanova’s New Sustainability Plan: In Theory and Action Taleen Postian Staff Writer The University has introduced a new plan to make the school more sustainable over the next decade, not only environmentally, but also socially, economically and academically. The plan was developed by the VSLC, the Villanova Sustainability Leadership Council, a group established in 2018 as the University’s governing body for sustainability. The VSLC is made up of five committees, each responsible for a different aspect of sustainable development: Operations, Social Justice, Health & Wellbeing, Student Life, Academics and Research. They are working together to improve the baseline sustainability score of Villanova, which is 33%. In the new sustainability plan, Villanova followed the 2017 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap for their own plan. The foundation of the plan was sent out to the student population and includes several goals to meet by 2030. These include an interdisciplinary academic institute to explore sustainability options, a plan to introduce more biodiversity and a student meal donation program. This looks like a promising turning point for Villanova, and this work by the administration is only supported and surpassed by the work of our own classmates. This semester, a petition started by freshman Patrick Carney, achieved its goal of eliminating the use of styrofoam containers in the dining halls and replacing them with biodegradable alternatives in the spring semester. This work was achieved through 1,157 signatures by the end of October. Some of the sentiments expressed by students who signed the petition included,
Pennsylvania Kevin Bongiorno Staff Writer On a warm, sunny day way back in May of 2019, Joe Biden walked onto the stage in his signature blue blazer and aviator sunglasses ready to launch his campaign for president at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia. With the skyline of the city behind him, Biden gave his first speech in which he promised to “restore the soul of America” and bring unity, dignity and equality to the nation. Who would have thought that this city, not far from Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware, would have been the place to push the former Vice President over the 270 marker and win the presidential election? After days and days of waiting, the race for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was finally called and Biden was declared the President-elect of the United States of America. His record-shatter-
Courtesy of Villanova University
“We need to be a more waste-conscious campus,” and “I believe that sustainability is important, even more so on a college campus.” In my opinion, the most concrete aspect of the plan was the promise to supply “50 percent of campus with regional hydroelectric power, supporting the goal to supply 100 percent of University electricity from renewable sources by 2030.” I say concrete because while I and many others are extremely excited for the steps the University is taking to ensure our campus moves towards environmental progress, many of the steps outlined are somewhat opaque in the exact timelines and points in which the admirable goals will be achieved. “Rather than a fault of the
Delivered
plan, I believe this is an upside,” Carney said. “I personally believe the university is attempting to hold itself to the highest standard possible. In order to do so, many of the statements are on the broader side of the spectrum— they’re less specific. For example, under the title Waste on page six, the University says that ‘There will be zero single-use plastic sales on campus and all pre- and post-consumer food waste will be eliminated from landfill or incineration.’ If the university holds itself to this standard and many of the other standards it has set for itself, then I believe we are on the right track.” He makes a good point, as this plan should be seen not just as a to-do list for the administration, but
Joe
ing victory in an unprecedented election can be attributed to a few things, but arguably none more important than his flipping of Pennsylvania. Everyone knew going into this election just how critical Pennsylvania would be to both Biden and President Trump, but who predicted that it would be this close? Both Joe and Jill Biden have strong roots in the state, with Joe growing up in Scranton until moving to Delaware at age 10 and Jill growing up in Willow Grove and receiving Master’s Degrees at both West Chester University and Villanova. For Biden’s win to be clinched in his “home” state, it had to be an incredibly special moment for the Biden family. Pennsylvania was by no means an easy victory for Biden, as he carried this state by a very small percentage of votes, less than 1%. It was Biden’s familiar stomping grounds that carried him to victory in the state, as he won Philadelphia
Biden
an agreement made with the school population and a promise that we should be ready to hold the administration to in the coming decade. “I am very happy with the start which Villanova has laid on the table,” Carney said. “However, I believe this plan has to be carried out and can not be withdrawn or altered in a manner that sets us back. As the student body, we are not only entitled to hold Villanova accountable to this plan, but we must hold them to this plan. I am a strong believer in subsidiarity, and believe if we truly want change in the direction of environmental sustainability in our world, we have to start here in our own community. Thinking on this topic, I am reminded of a poster in the staircases of Mendel. It says ‘recycling takes only one person: you.’ To take this a step further, I say environmental sustainability begins with one person: you. That ‘you’ is each and every person in our community here at Villanova. We do not have much time to begin to change our ways. Villanova has set a firm plan in place to start changing our ways now rather than later. We have to do our part by living in socially, economically and environmentally sustainable ways. Holding ourselves and Villanova as a whole accountable to this plan is one way to ignite this change in our world.” It is perspectives, such as this one, coming from the student community, that then go forward to set plans, both big and small, and push those plans through to real results. It is the drive students have to improve our school for the better that will actually make positive change in the way of sustainability on our campus and beyond. I encourage you to take a look at our new sustainability plan and form your own opinion. Start to enact change needed that you know can help to improve all aspects of sustainability at Villanova.
the
and its suburban counties by wide margins. He won Philadelphia County by almost 63 points, Montgomery County by 26 and Bucks County by four. The Delaware-bordering, traditionally Republican Chester and Delaware counties,
Presidency
both less than 15 minutes away from Biden’s home in Greenville, supported him by 17 and 26 points, respectively. In a state that was decided by such a small amount of votes, these counties undoubtedly handed Biden the presidency.
Joe Biden hosts a campaign rally in Philadelphia in the 2019 Democratic Primary race. Courtesy of ABC News
6 | The Villanovan
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
OPINION
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.
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.
A Very Different Black Friday: Shopping During a Pandemic Steven Makino Staff Writer During an extremely chaotic year, from the ongoing struggles concerning the COVID-19 pandemic to the roller coaster ride that was this year’s presidential election, one issue has been quite overshadowed during the past few weeks. As Thanksgiving draws near, so does arguably the most popular retail shopping day that kicks off the start of the holiday season: Black Friday. The day when many stores offer incredibly enticing deals that attract immensely large crowds in malls throughout the country will surely look different this year. With social distancing measures implemented across the country to flatten the curve of the virus, a day that promotes the antithesis of these efforts will need to be modified to fit the “new normal.” Malls around the world will likely have to intensify security measures not only to deal with the chaos that can escalate because of these sales, but to also ensure that capacity remains at an appropriate level to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission. Stores that promote “door-busting deals” will likely keep their deals to a minimum for the sake of public health, which in turn can lead to a trend in downward profit compared to years prior. Additionally, the lines of people waiting for stores to open will have to be reduced or eliminated altogether to ensure the safety of all
shoppers. Macy’s has responded to this concern by announcing it will utilize curbside pickup to prevent the large crowds that come from these lines. Aside from the capacity and distancing issues that will have to be dealt with, people may feel uncomfortable at the prospect of shopping in-person regardless of the precautions taken by various stores and companies. However, while this is not an ideal version of this day, it could promote online shopping and change Black Friday for years to come. In recent years, the online version of Black Friday — Cyber Monday — has gained significant traction, and this year it will likely see a spike greater than any year prior. Many people are likely to take advantage of the increasing amount of online sales to protect their health and comfortably order from their home. In addition to companies beginning to promote online shopping now more than ever, many stores have adapted to this change by extending their deals to be a monthlong event rather than solely for the Black Friday weekend. Walmart has gone a step further by closing its doors on Thanksgiving Day to combat the virus, as well as give its essential workers time to spend with their families during these uncertain times. Target shortly followed Walmart’s decision. These companies have promoted their online sales that will last for the whole month of November and, in some cases, into the start of December. In essence, Black Friday
Stores across the country are adapting Black Friday to the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of Wang Ying, Getty Images
across the nation, like most aspects of life currently, will take a virtual form this year. However, in a country that continues to advance in technology, will Black Friday permanently transition into an extension of Cyber Monday in future years? I have always liked to do my shopping in-person for items like clothing. I feel the process is not only easier, but also one that I have grown accustomed to for my whole life. However, malls have been on the decline in recent years due to the increase in online shopping long before COVID-19. I began shopping online even before the pandemic and have
found shopping from the comfort of my own room to be extremely convenient. Now, not only is it convenient, but it is also the safest way of reaping the benefits that stores have to offer. While I do not believe in-person shopping will diminish drastically, it is no secret that the retail industry is moving towards online platforms and will likely put more attention on the “cyber” aspect of Black Friday in the future. Regardless of how one participates in Black Friday shopping this year, it is important to remain safe while doing so and put community first as we head into a long awaited and much needed holiday season.
Letter From the Editors: Stop the COVID-19 Spike Villanova, we have done what the vast majority of us thought was impossible going into this school year: we managed to stay on campus through the entire semester and gave ourselves the chance for a full school year. We weren’t able to get here acting like we always do, however; we had to make changes and sacrifices to make sure that we were able to stay on campus this long. Now that we are two weeks away from the end of the semester, it is incredibly important to make sure that we do not forget about the commitments we made to one another at the beginning of this year. It is certainly true that there is basically no chance we get sent home at this point. The problem with this thinking, however, is that it only considers how your actions will impact you. Sure, you can go out to a party with little or no repercussions, but if you contract COVID-19 in the process, you could end up giving it to a professor, staff member, or fellow student who is much more at risk than you are. We have to keep our commu-
munities are able to stay safe. With any luck, the COVID-19 pandemic may be over soon, maybe. Many vaccine options are nearing approval, and it would not be unreasonable to think that some at risk members of our own communities will be able to receive it very soon, perhaps even before we return to campus in late January. The vaccine is not here yet, and until it is and even after it is, we need to continue to practice safety measures that were put in place to protect all members of our community. With this in mind, let’s close The Villanova community has been committed to keeping each other safe this semester. out this semester as safely as possible. Courtesy of Noah Song Delong If you want to celebrate the end of this long semester, make sure to do so nity in mind through these last few however, that we will be seeing many responsibly. The staff at The Villanoweeks on campus. Losing sight of this older relatives who are significantly at this point would be regrettable on more at risk for COVID-19 than most van knows that this community can make it through these last few weeks part of all of us. of us are as young people. Equally and end the spike that is beginning to It is equally important to as important as keeping our Villaoccur. We were able to do it once this begin thinking about what is going nova community in mind is keeping semester, so with this small spike we to happen when we go home for your family and home community should easily be able to ensure that Thanksgiving, finals and winter break. in mind as well. If we are going to For the first time in months for many, make it through the remainder of the we keep things in check. Stay safe for the rest of the semester, for Villanova, we will be seeing our parents and COVID-19 pandemic, we need to your family, and your community. family members again. This means, continue to make sure that our com-
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
OPINION
The Villanovan | 7
Can’t Leave Your House? Why Not Leave the Planet? Alexis Leanord Staff Writer With home isolation and travel bans, the yearning to escape reignites an international desire for space exploration, triggering an unofficial “Space Race” between the United States and China. In recent months, the media has portrayed that the two powerful nations are in a Cold War, referring to America’s Cold War against the Soviet Union and the competitive drive to advance space technology. The past seven months demonstrate both America and China’s longings to further explore space and their aggression towards the search for interstellar dominance, intelligence and investigation. SpaceNews reported that Republican House members released a China Task Force Report exhibiting China’s plans of “developing a space station and a human lunar mission.” This caused concern, urging House members to push for more space exploration funding, as they should. Similar to during the United States’ Cold War against the Soviet Union, House members argued the Chinese Communist Party is expanding its influence into space and the United States must surpass these efforts. In the meantime, China develops plans for sending people to the moon and exploring the solar system. With this in mind, it is important to mention recent Ameri-
can interstellar achievements, such as an American sharing the Nobel Prize in Physics with British and German scientists. According to The Wall Street Journal, British scientist Roger Penrose verified the existence of black holes, and American Andrea Ghez and German Reinhard Genzel individually discovered a black hole in our very own Milky Way galaxy. These achievements signify a continuing desire to learn about outer space, a surprisingly more accessible experience than international travel. According to NASA, scientists blueprinted a timeline presenting future missions, includ-
ing the deployment of rovers to Mars and humans to the moon in the upcoming years, showing that quarantine has not prevented them from developing ambitious exploration plans. The subsequent steps include funding and executing these programs, which require the approval of the public and the national government. While preventing the spread of the Communist Party is critical to American national security, the push for space exploration should focus on the advancement and progression of knowledge for the American people. When countries ban international travel, one thing people
Courtesy of Trevor Malmann
can anticipate is interstellar travel and its ability to uplift the nation. As American scientists research and discover more about space, they require more support and funding for their missions emphasizing space travel and data collection of other moons, planets and solar systems. There is no human aspiration more ancient – nor revered by more cultures – than understanding space. Americans should bolster the argument for increased funding of space exploration programs for the sake of the public’s well being, especially in a time when most Americans are desperate for excitement.
The Roller Coaster of Emotions on Election Night Joe Adams Staff Writer It’s over. It’s finally over. Joe Biden is the projected winner of the 2020 presidential election. It’s a sigh of relief for many and a hard reality for others. Nearly 18 months have passed since Biden announced his plans to run for president, and we’ve all been entranced, wondering how this political battle would end. Now, as the former Vice President gets ready to move into the White House, Biden supporters are partying in the streets, while President Donald Trump’s supporters are questioning the results. On Tuesday night at 7 p.m., I sat down, turned on CNN and prepared for a wave of emotions. I wondered if we would know results by the end of the night. I was surprised to see many states called throughout the night but grew frustrated that many crucial swing states were taking what seemed like forever to count the votes. Since Election Night is like my once-every-four-years Superbowl, I vowed to stay up all night to see if we would find out any major news. At around 10:30 p.m., things were not looking good for Biden. He was down by hundreds of thousands of votes in the all-important swing states that I had been studying for weeks before the election.
Americans across the country tuned in to watch the election results on November 3. Courtesy of CBS News
Before Election Day, I had high hopes for Biden, seeing the polls heavily in his favor. But I knew that I couldn’t get too confident. The polls had been so far off in the last election when Trump shocked the world and defeated Hillary Clinton. At this point in the night, I texted my mom, “Joe Biden is going to lose, I’m almost sure of it now. This is 2016 all over again.” Boy, am I glad that I was wrong. Around midnight, I started playing around with a hypothetical electoral map on my laptop, trying to predict all the possible outcomes for the election. Deep down, I
thought that we were doomed. No combination of states seemed to be probable enough for a Biden win. It looked as if he had to overtake Trump in almost every state, and I thought that there was no chance. At 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning, I was drifting off to the anchors of CNN saying that it was not looking good for Biden. Discouraged, scared and tired, I went to sleep hoping for a miracle overnight. The miracle came in the form of mail-in ballots. Slowly but surely, the Trump leads started shrinking. Throughout the day on Wednesday, I heard Minnesota call for Biden. Then Wisconsin. Then
Michigan. My hopes had come back. I was relieved. These results took a uniquely long time as opposed to past presidential elections, in large part due to the increased number of voters who voted by mail this year. Many Americans, including myself, became frustrated with how long it took to find out the results. We waited and then waited some more. Finally, right before noon on Saturday, the race was called for Biden. I think Americans became so tired of waiting for the results because of this pandemic. We’ve been cooped up in our homes for almost seven months now, and our patience is running low. We’re tired of waiting for a vaccine, annoyed that this virus is still not under control and scared that our country is reaching peak numbers of cases this week. Hopefully, this all changes with Biden’s presidency. He has laid out his plan to control the virus, and I have high hopes. It will be difficult, of course, to convince every American to listen to Biden and the scientists, but I believe in us. We are ready for change. We want to return to normal life, and I truly believe that Biden will be that change for us as we transition back to normalcy. America has made its choice. Biden will be our next president. The question is: Is this country prepared to embrace our new leader? Only time will tell.
8 | The Villanovan
OPINION
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Donald Trump’s Actions After the Election Were Troubling Derek Ramirez Jerez Staff Writer During the election, I know many people were glued to their phones, refreshing constantly to see any new updates. I was mainly on Twitter, trying to see the opinions of the people that I follow, along with the insights of various politicians involved in the race. Something I found odd was the quietness of the usually very vocal incumbent President Donald Trump, and as I looked on his page, it was very apparent why this was the case. Twitter took to censoring the various baseless, exaggerated and misleading claims tweeted by Trump while the election was taking place, especially during the times where certain states were flipped Democrat. In addition, his claims to “stop the count” and various other things he advocated for are extremely troubling, coming from someone who has held the presidency for the past four years. One of the biggest things many noticed was the attack on mailin votes from Trump and his supporters. Because of the large influx of mail-in votes in favor of Democratic candidate Joe Biden, Trump immediately took to Twitter to denounce them as voter fraud. In reality, the large disparity of these was due to the constant criticism Trump has had towards mail-in votes leading up to the election, urging his supporters to vote in-person. As a result of this, Trump started to constantly tweet the phrase “STOP THE COUNT!”, following it up with many claims on voter fraud that were promptly censored by Twitter. The problem with these claims
“Electoral Vote purposes” because he had a lead in them at the time. These were promptly censored by Twitter as they can mislead, along with just making no sense, since all of the ballots were not counted yet. What is even more troubling is the constant threats Trump made to take cases to the Supreme Court and the actual lawsuits filed against “all of the recent Biden claimed States,” as he stated Twitter. He is doing this without any evidence of fraud and as a result, “none of the dozen or so lawsuits they had brought in battleground states appeared to be gaining any traction in the courts,” as reported by The New York Times. The whole situation is just so bizarre that someone in his position would go to huge extents for something so unreasonable. The example of Trump should resonate in the minds of many to be careful of who we choose as our nominees for the presidency. Despite President Trump delivered a speech after the election was over questioning the results. whatever political position or party Courtesy of USA Today one affiliates with, Trump’s handling is that they are unsubstantiated and sition as Trump to make these claims, of loss goes against the values of made without consideration for the as his supporters will share the same American democracy, in which he logic of the situation. Rather, they wrong notion. This is made clear advocates to stop the count of votes stem from emotion and the fact that when in Detroit, many Trump supin order to win the states he is leading Trump started to lose the election. porters “tried to storm their way into but to continue counting the votes In addition, the incumbent a Detroit convention center where in the states that he is losing. In his only wanted to stop the count in ballots” were processed in order to position, the best course of action states that were flipping Democratic, carry out the wishes of their candiwas to accept the loss gracefully and like Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylva- date to “stop the count,” according abide by the logic at hand, instead of nia and Georgia, while wanting the to The Independent. Again, this is a doubling down on all of his claims states where he could still win, such as huge disregard for the democracy of based on no evidence at all. Nevada and Arizona, to count every the nation and a very childish way to Moving forward, this election vote. This hypocrisy and lack of handle loss. has shown that our vote ultimately regard for simple democracy should This is just one of the many matters greatly, as the highest voter not be showcased by someone who examples of things Trump has tweet- turnout of all time was just seen. It is was the president for the last four ed over the past few days. One of the our responsibility as voters to assess years. most notable was when he stated that each candidate and make educated This is extremely dangerous he claimed Pennsylvania, Georgia, decisions on who to vote for in order for someone in such an influential po- North Carolina and Michigan for to avoid cases like Trump.
Stacey Abrams’ Vital Role in Changing Georgia Politics Vivi Melkonian Staff Writer Like most people, I have been watching CNN since Tuesday night. If I hear the words “battleground states” or “unprecedented election” uttered one more time, I may lose it. On Thursday night in particular, I was especially tuned in to the movement of support for Biden in my home state of Georgia. For hours, viewers watched President Trump’s lead shrink in the state, and when I woke up on Friday morning, now President-Elect Joe Biden had taken the lead in the state. As I write this, Biden has just been projected the winner of this election after securing the 20 electoral college votes from Pennsylvania. Both Pennsylvania and Georgia played vital roles in the 2020 election. Unlike years past, Georgia was a swing state in this election and proved to be more crucial than ever. It leaves me asking, what factors contributed to this surprising shift? Stacey Abrams deserves immense praise for Georgia’s Democratic shift. After narrowly losing the 2018 gubernatorial race to Brian Kemp, an election that was widely impacted by voter suppression, Abrams shifted her focus
Stacey Abrams campaigned for President-elect Joe Biden in her home state of Georgia. Courtesy of Dustin Chambers, Getty Images
to becoming an activist against voter suppression and creating organizations aimed at increasing voter turnout in the state. She has been involved with organizations like New Georgia Project and Fair Fight, both aimed at combating voter suppression in Georgia. Building this infrastructure unquestionably played a vital part in generating the blue wave in Georgia. Abrams was a maverick in acknowledging the large demographic shift in Georgia and the opportunity it presented for Democrats to win. According to the state’s website, Georgia has
had a ten-year population growth rate of 14.4%. These numbers are rather concentrated in the predominantly liberal Metro Atlanta. The New York Times reported that the demographics in the state are increasingly diverse and that Abrams was responsible for “inspiring an estimated 800,000 residents to register to vote.” Abrams was a firm believer that if the right resources and money was allocated towards advocating for voter registration and against voter suppression, there was a tangible opportunity for Georgia to become a competitive state for Democrats. The result of
this election proves that she was right. Although Georgia currently remains a tight race and is headed towards a recount, the amount of support for President-elect Biden in the state is remarkable. Abrams’ work to attract funding for Democrats in Georgia, in addition to her relentless advocacy against voter suppression, is something to be celebrated. Stacey Abrams took her loss in 2018 in stride and used her clout and passion to spread awareness and ignite change. Although returns in Georgia are not finalized at this moment, her impact deserves extensive praise.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
OPINION
The Villanovan | 9
Joy Reid Shows That the Media Haven’t Learned Anything Brendan Donoghue Staff Writer As I write this, President Donald Trump has yet to concede the election to former Vice President Joe Biden, despite all signs pointing to Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Barring any massive changes, Biden will become the 46th President of the United States, and it is incumbent upon all Americans to wish him nothing but success. Going into the election, many analysts projected a massive electoral victory for Biden, but the election itself turned out to be anything but. Real Clear Politics, one of the nation’s most respected polling organizations, projected Biden to win by anywhere from 7-13 percentage points nationally and to win crucial swing states by anywhere from 5-17 points. As the results began to come in, it was clear early on that this election would be far closer than projected. With North Carolina and Alaska yet to be called at the time of this writing, Biden’s lead over Trump nationally stands at 2.9 percentage points, and his margins of victory in some key swing states sit between 0.2-2.7 points. An election this close is anathema to many in the mainstream media who have spent the entirety of President Trump’s term in office describing Trump as a white supremacist, Klu Klux Klan
apologist and using Adolf Hitler as a point of comparison. Surely, after painting the President of the United States as barely short of evil itself, the American people would overwhelmingly decide to vote him out of office. Well, as we have seen, not so much. When you accuse the sitting president of white supremacy and deep-seated bigotry and then more than 70 million Americans turn out to vote in favor of his re-election, what are you supposed to do? Some might decide (I would argue, correctly) that the attacks were an overreach, that many Americans had a hard time believing that a man who has spent his adult life on the cover of every tabloid magazine in the country was a secret racist all along, and they interpreted such attacks as directed towards them, not merely the President. Others could decide to double down, insistent that the most effective way to change minds is to accuse your political opponents of unspeakable hatred. MSNBC’s Joy Reid falls into the latter category. Appearing on Rachel Maddow’s show the day after the election, Reid described her reaction to such a close race, saying, “Even though we intellectually understand what America is at its base, right, that there is a great amount of racism, anti-blackness...part of you thinks ‘maybe this country is going to pay off part of this pain’...as the night wore on and I realized, and it sunk in, ‘okay that’s not happening,
Joy Reid is a cable show host, author and contributor to Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show. Courtesy of MSNBC
we are still who we thought.’” After doing her best to associate Trump with the worst of America, Reid was stunned that the election was as close as it was. With all the makings of an idealogue, rather than amending her opinion of Trump and his supporters, she declared that more than 70 million Americans had decided to either tacitly or explicitly condone racism in the White House. Luckily for Reid, Trump is deeply off-putting to many people, and his personal unpopularity was enough of a catalyst for Biden to
win the Presidency. However, the next Republican nominee will almost certainly be more palatable than Trump (how could he or she not be?), and Reid and her colleagues will not have the candidate’s personality to rely on. If those in Reid’s position hope to be taken seriously in the future, they will need to try something new. If this election was any indication, millions of Americans have no desire to be lectured to about their unabating racism, and Reid’s tactics will fall flat without Trump on the ticket.
10 | The Villanovan
CULTURE
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
CULTURE
Society of Veterans Affairs Celebrates Veterans Day Chelsea Le Staff Writer Veterans Day, which falls on Nov. 11 every year, provides Americans an opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifices of U.S. veterans in all branches. While the majority of the University community cannot relate to the experience of serving one’s country, Veterans Day offers a glimpse into the love and dedication those who did. This year, the Villanova Society of Veteran Affairs (VSVA) commemorated the federal holiday through Operation: Reconnect. By soliciting poetry, artwork and written prose submissions, VSVA gave students an outlet to express their creativity and gratitude to military personnel stuck at sea due to COVID-19 restrictions. The goal was to receive 1,000 letters by Nov. 11. Letters were dropped off at boxes set up all over campus. VSVA also celebrated Veterans Day by hosting a flag planting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Mendel Field. In addition to these commemorations, VSVA interviewed three veterans affiliated with the University: Michael D. Brown, Joe Evans and Mohamed Siam. Michael D. Brown is the current Director of Office and Military Service Members. Brown saw the army as a good opportunity and joined after high school as an infantry active for four years, an experience that opened his eyes to the world. After being stationed in Germany, he was deployed to Bosnia, where he was able to explore his passions and interests. As Brown recounted, being in the military was a growing and learning experience. It showed him what true leadership looked like and that with the right attitude, anything could be accomplished. After his service, Brown decided to attend college as a student veteran through the GI Bill. As a nontraditional student and often the oldest in a classroom, he acknowledged that being an infantry soldier in the army did not translate into having
a job. After leaving college, Brown moved to Pennsylvania to work for Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress. While in the office, Brown helped rewrite the GI Bill. The role provided an opportunity to directly assist veterans and change their lives. Brown also worked in the Philadelphia Veterans Court to support veterans in contact with the criminal justice system, as well as supporting student veterans at a local community college. In 2018, Brown saw that the University was creating an Office of Veteran and Military Members. He applied and was hired as the first person to hold the position. Since coming to the University, Brown has seen the love Villanovans have for the school that stems from the culture of the campus and its commitment to the community. His goals are to make the University a veteran-ready campus by changing internal policies and increasing the population of undergraduate student veterans. Brown hopes to create a welcoming environment for student veterans to feel like a sense of belonging, a center they can call home on campus. Joe Evans is a current doctoral student in the Theology and Religious Studies Department. Originally from Royersford, Pennsylvania, Evans was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army in 1999. He retired after twenty years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. Evans began as an Infantry Officer in the 10th Mountain Division, first serving in Kosovo while conducting peacekeeping operations. He then was deployed to Afghanistan to train and lead the first units of the Afghan National Army. This was followed by a year of combat operations in Iraq, culminating in his planning and leading a portion of the first battle of Fallujah. As a Rifle Company Commander, he led his unit into the mountains of Kunar and Nuristan Provinces of eastern Afghanistan to conduct eighteen months of counterinsurgency operations. As a South Asian Foreign Area Officer, he
VSVA set up donation boxes all over campus for Operation: Reconnect. Courtesy of Villanova Society of Veteran Affairs
planned and conducted U.S. military security cooperation and disaster response activities in Pakistan and Nepal, developed by the U.S. foreign policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Army Staff in the Pentagon, and coordinated U.S. Army Security cooperation activities with Central and South Asia in the U.S. Army Central. Evans holds an M.A. in World Politics from the Catholic University of America, an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama, an M.S. in the Art and Science of Warfare from the University of Balochistan, Pakistan, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University. He also received a Certificate in Interfaith Conflict Resolution from the United States Institute of Peace. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo campaign medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the NATO Defense Medal. He was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Joint Staff Badge. Mohamed Siam is a current Graduate Resident Director (GRD), a paraprofessional member of the
Residence Life staff, at the University. Siam served in the U.S. Marine Reserves as a rifleman from 2012 to 2020. He recently finished eight years of service and received an honorable discharge certificate. Siam was a part of the Second Battalion 25th Marines Golf Company and the 1st Platoon Second Squad. Siam’s decision to join the Marine Corps was based on a variety of factors. Higher education was not a financially feasible option for him, and within the Arabian culture, the second son typically joins the military. Another reason why he committed was that he wanted to represent Palestinian Muslims in a positive light and to experience being in the military. After going to Afghanistan in September 2018, he left in April 2019. He applied for the GRD position from Afghanistan via Skype and has been working here since. Siam received his Bachelor’s in History and Political Science at Rutgers University and is currently pursuing higher education. As a student leader and veteran, Siam has been able to reach other communities, specifically other students from political groups. Because having a military background is not common anymore, he enjoys speaking to others about his experiences and socializing on campus.
Weekly Club Spotlight: Student Musical Theatre Sara Hecht Staff Writer With this semester being like no other, Villanova’s more than 280 student organizations have had to discover new ways to hold meetings and events, as well as gain new members. Villanova’s Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) has been able to utilize its immense creativity in finding various ways to both recruit new members and maintain the friendships that the club fosters. Upperclassmen have been holding coffee dates with small groups of interested first year students so they can get to know one another while also learning more about VSMT. Additionally, the club’s annual Bigs & Littles week
has been reimagined this semester. “We’re also moving forward with our annual Bigs & Littles week, and, although it will look different from past years, we’re so excited to be able to get new students more involved in VSMT,” President Amanda Atkinson said. After the move of its production of “Company” to Zoom performances, VSMT was looking forward to the Fall 2020 season. Similar to how Elle Woods’ sparked new life at Harvard Law, VSMT planned to bring laughter and energy back to campus with a production of the Broadway hit musical “Legally Blonde.” However, due to the health risks associated with singing, the production was postponed. Last semester, the grand
debut mainstage production of the Villanova Theatre in its new home this fall. He had selected the musical “Crazy For You!” and invited undergraduate students to audition alongside the members of Villanova’s graduate theatre program. “So many of us were looking forward to getting involved or seeing the show, so it’s definitely disappointing that it had to be cancelled,” Atkinson said. “I hope Father Peter is able to direct another show in the near future.” VSMT’s Samantha Aiken with her Bigs Nevertheless, VSMT is Courtesy of Samantha Aitken working to get both members and opening of the John and Joan students involved this semester Mullen Performing Arts center with safe and socially distanced was put on hold due to the closing events. Atkinson mentioned that of campus. University President VMST and CAT have joined forcRev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., es to host a musical movie evening Ph.D. was scheduled to direct the at The Oreo in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
CULTURE
The Villanovan | 11
Alumnus Vlas Parlapanides ’93 Talks “Blood of Zeus” Matthew Gaetano Staff Writer The newest edition to Netflix’s lineup of original anime, “Blood of Zeus,” took the streaming service by storm this October. Within the show’s first week of release, the series became the first newly released original anime to rank in Netflix’s top three shows globally. Such a victory is a major one for Netflix, but even more so for the series’ creators, Vlas and Charles Parlapanides. The series itself follows the ventures of Heron (voiced by Derek Phillips), the demigod son of Zeus (Jason O’Mara), on his quest to save Earth and Olympus from a malevolent force of demons. The mythology of the series is something that’s always been important to show creator and Class of 1993 alumnus, Vlas Parlapanides. “The very first stories we ever heard were the Greek mythological tales,” Parlapanides said when asked about his past with the content of the series. “I heard them from our grandmother and our mother, and when we were kids, they told us these fantastic Greek mythological tales that were so exciting.” That same sense of excitement is the factor that the Parlapanides’ brother sought to bring to “Blood of Zeus” and even more importantly, to the show’s audience. Though familiar with the myths that inspired “Blood of Zeus” from childhood stories, a great deal of research went into properly shaping the show’s narrative. “We read as much as we could, we got all these different books on Greek mythology,” Parlapanides said. “We were obviously familiar with many of these stories, we were Greek-Americans...but then there’s a second type of research. Thinking about the characters: what was their life before the show begins, before this story begins?” It’s clear that Parlapanides knows the characters he writes for the show as thoroughly as he knows himself. When asked about his favor-
ite character in the series, Parlapanides joked about his past, avoiding the question and his struggle to single out one character in particular. He did, however, offer insight into utilizing his characters as vessels for expressing the themes of the series. “We explored anger through three different characters,” Parlapanides said. “In one character, that character is able to let go of his anger, and in doing so he is able to overcome the adversity he is pitted against. Another character is not able to let go of their anger and their anger destroys them. The third character, their anger forever changes them in an entirely different way: They permit the anger to get the best of them.” As he continued, Parlapanides offered a window into his favorite scenes as a substitute for the lack of providing a favorite character. “I have favorite scenes,” he said. “I don’t know if we’re talking about spoilers or not but the ultimate confrontation at the end is a good moment.” When asked about aspects of the show’s final product that turned out better or worse than anticipated, Parlapanides said that there are cases for both. “Charley and I have a saying, ‘sometimes you slay the dragon and sometimes the dragon slays you,’” he said. “Oftentimes we’ve gotten slayed, but every once in a while, you get it to work and that’s very gratifying.” He went on to attribute the show’s success to everyone involved. “One of the pleasures about working on this project was that everyone involved made it about the best interests of the show,” he said. “There wasn’t any ego involved. Spielberg always says, ‘Best idea wins.’ It wasn’t about ego, it was about ‘best idea wins.’” Of course, such a statement was followed by a surplus of examples. “In episode one, there’s a nice little moment between Hera and Zeus when they fight the giants,”
he explained. “He kind of swoops in and he saves her and there’s that little eye-wink. That’s a moment that the director created, and it’s a beautiful moment and a beautiful surprise.” The animation style of the show, which is very unique at times and yet familiar, is another area that Parlapanides attributes to others working on the series. “We worked with a brilliant director, Shaunt Nigoghossian. He was instrumental in regards to the look of the anime,” he said. “I would say he, and the animators at Powerhouse Animation in Austin… there was someone who worked on this, Katie Silva, she was the character designer. So she basically drew all the iterations of the characters and she would show us those characters and we would weigh in... I think they did a great job.” When asked about his own animation influences, Parlapanides joyously remarked, “I love that question. My favorite is ‘Cowboy Bebop,’ when I saw that, that was so cool. It’s not fully reflected in our show but there’s something about it that’s kinetic, and cool, and it really brought you into its world.” Speaking about his other influences for the series, Parlapanides
delved into his time at Villanova when students and staff knew him as Wally rather than Vlas. “I was very influenced by Dr. Shyles,” he said. “He taught us how to frame a shot.” Parlapanides paused for a moment to reflect before continuing. “In fact, the reason I consider myself a storyteller stems from my experience at Villanova,” he said. “I felt like I had to major in something that was more laudable. Deep down, I knew I always wanted to pursue a creative endeavor.” He joked that he had an epiphany in his senior year. A switch in room location for two different acting classes resulted in Parlapanides having to write and produce a one-act play. “Long story short, it moved me emotionally and it felt really good,” he said. “Immediately after I performed it, my professor came up to me, and grabbed my arm and said, ‘If anybody should be in this business, it’s you.’” Though the series has yet to be renewed for a second season, the first season is streaming now on Netflix, and “Blood of Zeus” is a storm that doesn’t show any signs of stopping.
Vlas Parlapanides, CLAS Class of 1993 Courtesy of IMDb
The Election and Student Well-Being: How are We Feeling? Kendall Hayes Staff Writer After five days of waiting for votes to come in from across the country, the Associated Press announced on Saturday morning, Nov. 7, that Joe Biden would be the 46th President of the United States of America. During an unprecedented time in history, with a pandemic in place and significant political, social and economic unrest, hopefully Americans can take solace in the fact that the wait to know the president is over. For many college students, this was their first time voting in a presidential election. Colleges across the country made it a priority that students had access to the polls, voting registration information and emotional support when necessary. The University was no exception. On Monday, Nov. 2, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. sent an email to the community urging students and staff to continue put-
ting community first, no matter the results of the election. “Let’s promote good citizenship, be respectful and remember that at the end of the day, we are all Villanovans,” he wrote. With this message to the community, Donohue made sure that his community would be taken care of during this election. On the University’s website, there is a section under Student Involvement called ‘2020 Election Events at Villanova.’ At the very top of the webpage, information regarding support services available for students are shown. Additionally, on Election Day, Residence Life emailed all students living on campus that if needed, emotional support from Resident Assistants was available. Professors were another key component in making sure everyone felt emotionally okay during last week. For the most part, all professors were incredibly supportive and understanding. Whether it was pushing assignments back a few days or asking students how they were feeling, professors showed that their
students’ well-being was a top priority. The Villanovan asked several students their opinions on the school’s response to the election. Specifically, students were asked two questions: “How do you feel the school handled the election?” and “Were your professors understanding?” Students weighed in. “I was actually pleasantly surprised with how understanding my professors were regarding the events of the 2020 election,” sophomore Cameron Castelli said. “While some pushed back assignments, I also had a few teachers send me emails about using them as a resource to open up about the uncertainties of the day.” Other students echoed this same sentiment. “In my own personal experience, I found that my professors, for the most part, were largely accommodating this week in regard to work load,” senior Kat Lukas said. “As a political science major, we were able to dedicate time in class to have productive, thoughtful and respectful
conversations throughout the week.” Some teachers even cancelled classes on Election Day to give students opportunities to vote in-person. “As a political science major, I think my professors were very aware that a lot of students felt very on edge during the days leading up to and following the election,” junior Annie Reilly said. “I had classes cancelled on Election Day in order to make sure we could get to the polls, and I think more than anything my professors just really wanted us to understand the gravity of what our country was facing and were proud to have students who wanted to exercise their rights to vote so badly.” A presidential election is always chaotic, and this year, the COVID-19 pandemic only made that fact even more true. Colleges across the nation, especially Villanova, made the commitment to understand the emotional toll this election was going to take on students and provide necessary resources. For the University, an institution where community always comes first, this was proven during the election.
12 | The Villanovan
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
CULTURE
Advice for Freshmen Who Want to Rush a Sorority Elena Rouse Staff Writer The time is coming when many freshmen on campus will decide to partake in rushing for a sorority. The weeks leading up to rush are often filled with rumors, uncertainty and whispers about the different sororities and what they are like. As someone who rushed as a freshman, I know how overwhelming it can be to begin the process with nothing but snippets you hear from the nervous chatter of other freshmen. To help cope with the uncertainty, here are some pieces of advice to remember when considering rushing this winter. First, it is all about the feeling. You will be your own worst enemy if you go into rush with decisions already lined up. A sorority’s name or overheard “reputation” is trivial and means nothing compared to how you bond with the people you meet. What is important is how you feel when you are talking to the girls and whether you feel at ease. Do not base your decision off of what you think will be “coolest” or what you had hoped would work out. Instead, focus on where you feel you fit best. If you meet someone who is in a sorority, do not be afraid to tell her you want to rush. All the sororities are so excited to meet new girls and bring people into their family. We understand everything you are feeling and want to help. However, be sure to steer clear of bringing up the stereotypes of sororities and asking what the “top tier” sororities
The
are because chapters want to hear that you are excited to find your new home, and they want people to choose their sorority based only off of what their heart is telling them. Going in blind is not a bad thing. You do not need to know everything about the sororities before you start rushing. Actually, knowing only little can help you better find what you are looking for because you are not distracted from external factors. However, if you are looking for some information, I highly recommend following all the chapters’ social media pages. You can get an understanding of what each chapter is about and information on events the chapters might be running, which is a chance for you to meet more girls. Do not overthink it. Rush can be a lot to handle, but your greatest ally is your gut instinct. Just trust yourself and your preferences. Be confident, no matter if friends of yours have different experiences than you. You will know what feels right. Going along with the last point, do not get too caught up in what all your friends are saying. Rush is a very personal experience, and here at Villanova, best friends can span across all sororities. Girls do not limit themselves to spending time with just their other sisters, so do not feel like you have to pick a sorority that all your friends are liking. If you end up somewhere different, that is because you were meant to, and it is an opportunity to meet new people. If you get dropped by a
Gentrification
Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer I love thrifting just as much as the next person. The activity in itself is exciting, as many hidden treasures wait to be discovered among racks of once unwanted clothing. Thrifting is also a great way to protect our environment. As we reuse old clothes, we save the world from an increase in textile waste and limit the amount of pollution in our atmosphere. So, if thrifting is so great, why doesn’t everyone take part? Why do we still continue to invest in unsustainable fast fashion and expensive clothing industries when we could keep our planet and wallets happy by thrifting? Perhaps gentrification is to blame. Gentrification is defined as the process of changing a once lower class area into a wealthier neighborhood by improving housing and attracting new businesses. While this may seem like a good thing, gentrification displaces the local working-class inhabitants as taxes increase in the area. Now I know what you may be thinking. What does this have to do with thrifting? Just like the gentrification of neighborhoods, a similar concept can be applied. Thrift stores were originally created to provide poverty-stricken
communities with clothing that was affordable. Recently, thrifting has turned into a trend rather than a resource. The fad has broadened thrift goers from those who cannot afford regularly priced clothing items to millennials who can accommodate the higher prices of the fashion industry but choose not to. Because of this increase in buyers, thrift stores are starting
sorority at any point, do not fret. It is all a part of the mutual selection process. Do not take it personally because it happens to the majority of girls at some point. Although it might be disappointing at first, just take it as a mere step in the process of finding where you are truly meant to belong on campus. At the end of the day, what is most important is staying true to yourself. Listen to what your heart is telling you and be authentic. Whoever you are is enough and will lead you to the right place for you. Rush is as equally thrilling as
it is terrifying, but know that all the sorority members at the University know how you feel. Just remember that just as much as you want to make a good impression on us, we want to make a good impression on you. The process is a give and take. I remember how it feels to be on your side, and there are a lot of emotions that can build up, but I will leave you with what someone told me. Just remember to take a breath, let go of what you can’t control and try to enjoy the process. It will all work out how it is supposed to.
Members of Alpha Chi Omega pose in their new letters on bid day. Courtesy of Alice Ke
of
Thrift
to raise their prices, which means those who needed the low prices that once existed will need to look for clothing elsewhere. Hence, the gentrification of thrifting. Do not get me wrong. It is not a bad thing to thrift. I simply want to bring attention to this issue and make our community aware of the negative effects thrifting can bring. As mentioned previously,
The thrifitng scene in Philadelphia is popular with Univeristy students. Courtesy of Kaelin Trombly
Shopping
we need more people to thrift in hopes of decreasing the amount of pollution the fashion industry produces. Just do so responsibly. There are plenty of opportunities to thrift consciously without raising the prices for those who cannot afford it. First of all, not all thrift stores have the same pricing for their products. When looking for one to shop at, lean more towards the thrift stores that cater more towards one’s economic status. These are the places that tailor lower prices than regular traditional retailers but won’t take away clothing resources from those who need it. Another great alternative is to pick a thrift store that gives back to marginalized communities in a meaningful way. For example, Angel Street Thrift Store uses its proceeds to provide resources and support to individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues. Cure Thrift Store helps to fund diabetes research. It is important that we are aware that for some, thrifting is a necessity, not an option. The influx of demand by more economically-advantaged people is exacerbating income inequality and effectively marginalizing under-resourced populations. Next time you thrift, be cognizant of where your money is going and what its impact will be.
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
CULTURE
The Villanovan | 13
Gender-Neutral Fashion: Blurring the Ideas and Lines Between Masculine and Feminine Clothing Devin Toolen Staff Writer We’ve all seen baby showers that are celebrated with pink decorations for girls and blue decorations for boys. That might even be how your parents adorned your room as a child, with colors or items that were associated with gender. There has always been a clear separation between masculine and feminine. Even in fashion, we see a distinction between men’s and women’s clothing. However, times are changing, and gender barriers are starting to crumble. Through fashion, people are beginning to express themselves in ways that would have been criticized in the past. It’s time to break societal fashion norms and dress based on personal preference, regardless of gender. This sounds cool, right? But where do we start? A good and simple way to begin forgetting about gender norms is to shop in whatever section of a clothing store that you want. Most clothing stores in malls only have men’s and women’s sections. Don’t worry about that. If you see an article of clothing in any section that interests you, try it on. The only thing that truly matters when it comes to clothing is finding the size that fits you. If you’re looking for specifically gender-neutral clothing brands, here are a few to try. First, look at Lonely Kids Club. This online brand offers many
styles of graphic tee shirts, sweatshirts, shorts and pants. Its styles are great for relaxing in your dorm while taking online classes. Next, check out Wildfang. Wildfang offers amazing button up shirts, pants and other key items. Its styles are more expensive but worth it. If you are looking for sportswear or swimwear, try Outplay. This Miami-based brand offers tons of options based on use or coverage. Another really great online store that is one of my personal favorites is Petals and Peacocks. This online store, like Lonely Kids Club, has great graphic tees, sweats and accessories. Its styles are bold and fun and feature positive messages. It’s also important it to note that some stores in the mall like Pacsun and H&M have unisex sections, which are great for finding pieces that you might want. Another great way to shop gender-neutral is to thrift shop. Thrift stores usually have distinct men’s and women’s sections. However, with seemingly endless racks, it’s easy to keep walking without paying attention to what section you’re in. When browsing the aisles, pull out items that strike your interest. If you find something that you like, get it. To create a gender-neutral outfit, I would style cargo pants or jeans with a graphic tee, button down short sleeve and a bucket hat. I would pair this with Nike shoes and a belt bag. Another option could be a tank top with a short sleeve button up, a zip up hoodie, shorts and
Converse high tops. These outfits would be stylish while completely disregarding gender. It can be fun to blur lines between masculinity and femininity through clothing. The key is to disregard others’ opinions about your fashion choices. Obviously, that is a lot easier said than done. How-
ever, fashion is one of the most basic forms of freedom of expression. There are no rules with clothes. You get to decide what you wear and how you wear it. With that, have fun with different styles and play around with your clothing. Be creative and try things that take you out of your comfort zone.
This outfit features a cool graphic tee, a button up shirt, Nike shoes and a bucket hat.
This is a comfortable, casual gender-neutral outfit featuring shorts, a tank top, a button up shirt and a hoodie.
Courtesy of Devin Toolen
The Best Running or Walking Routes Around Villanova many streets with lovely houses and beautiful scenery. If you are from a suburb, these neighborhoods might feel a bit like home. Take your first left Looking to take advantage just past Good Counsel onto Meadof these warm November weeks owood Road, and there are lots of or plan on how you will enjoy the looping horse-shoe-like, quiet, peacecrisp air when we return to campus ful roads to stroll through. Often you after break? Villanova is a beautiful will pass friendly neighbors who will campus in a great area for walking always say hello and tell you to have a or going for a run. Whether you nice day. There are also families with love running, feel like you need to cute kids and even cuter dogs. get some exercise, need to clear your Finally, you can take on The head or are just starving for some Neighboring College Challenge. fresh air and endorphins, there is a There are three other campuses very route for you around campus. Forget close to Villanova: Rosemont College, the treadmills. Who wants to sweat in Bryn Mawr College and Haverford the Davis Center when you could be College. First up, and closest by far, breathing in the fresh Pennsylvania is Rosemont College, just 0.3 miles air? away. One possible destination is Head up North Ithan, past Ithan Valley Park, which is past South the Davis Center and make the first Campus just two miles down S. Ithan right after you go under the little Ave. On your way there, you will pass tunnel onto Curwen Road. ConRadnor Valley Country Club and tinue down Curwen until you see will find yourself running along Ithan Rosemont. You cannot miss it. Once Creek. If you are not too tired when you reach the campus, you can run you get to the park, you can continue through and take in all of the sights your jog or take a stroll through the before making your way back to many trails the site offers. Offering 19 Villanova, or, if you are feeling up to acres of nature filled with winding rivit, continue on to college #2: Bryn ers, different types of trees and even waterfalls, the park is a peaceful place Mawr. Bryn Mawr College is anto clear your head and take a breather other mile from Rosemont (around from school. 1.5 miles away from Villanova). It Another option is taking a can be reached by heading down W. walk or jog through the lovely neighMontgomery Ave and hanging a left borhoods of Bryn Mawr. Right on North Roberts Road, or you can around South Campus, there are Julia Stanisci Staff Writer
cut through Ashbridge Memorial Park. Bryn Mawr College’s campus is beautiful and an exciting change of scenery from our own campus. If you have even more energy to spare, you can head to college #3: Haverford. Haverford College is a hike, as it’s 2.3 more miles away from Bryn Mawr College (a whopping 3.4 from Villanova). So, if you decide to go all the way to Haverford and back, you will be running at least 7 miles in total (half of a half marathon). From Bryn Mawr, Haverford is down New Gulph Road (turns into W. Montgomery) and then across Lancaster Ave. You will pass the scenic Sharpe Park & Bird Sanctuary on your way before finally hitting the gorgeous Haverford, which you can explore and stroll around before heading home. Whether you are an avid runner or just want a little stroll, these are all great options. You can hit them all in one day or work your way up one at a time, seizing the opportunity to see some other beautiful campuses, spice up your jogs and get an idea of what campus life is like at the colleges around us. Whether you decide to hit the parks or neighborhoods around South Campus or sojourn to another university, you will be sure to get your daily dose of fresh air and take advantage of the charming area around our home.
Meadowood road is a popular running path for many University students. Courtesy of Julia Stanisci
14 | The Villanovan
SPORTS
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
SPORTS
Siegrest Unanimously Named Preseason All-Big East Team Zac Tipton Staff Writer Maddy Siegrest is coming off one of the best freshman campaigns in the country and one of the greatest in Villanova history. Now, she starts her sophomore year out on the same positive note. She was named a unanimous preseason All-Big East First Team selection. This is just another accomplishment in an already dominant career from Siegrest. Siegrest came to Villanova from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and had a decorated career at Our Lady of Lourdes. In high school, she averaged 32.7 points per game and 13.1 rebounds as a senior. She was named all-state twice and was an all-league selection three times. Siegrest came into Villanova and redshirted her freshman year. After that, she came out hot. Siegrest averaged 18.8 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. She shot .477 from the field and .325 from the three point range. In her first year, not only did she lead the team in multiple categories, but she also led the Big East in 20 point games and double-doubles. Siegrest also set many Villanova records, such as points in a season, points in a game and 20-point games in a season. She ranked second in the Big East in scoring and rebounding and had
Villanova, Siegrest was named unanimous Big East Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Big East. Siegrest garnered Big 5 Rookie of the Year honors and First Team All-Big 5 distinction. She was the second highest scoring freshman in the country, with her 18.8 points per game average. One of her biggest accomplishments was being named one of the top 10 freshmen in the country by ESPN. She tied a Big East Conference record for most Rookie of the Week honors with 10. She was a two-time USBWA Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Week. Siegrest will be entering this season with huge expectations. She will be leading a young women’s team that is coming off a third place finish in the Big East. The Wildcats themselves were projected to finish seventh in a conference that has regained one of the best women’s basketball teams in history, UConn. Siegrest is looking for a big year that will help put Siegrest enters her sophomore season as a leader for the ’Cats. women’s basketball back in the Courtesy of Villanova Athletics NCAA Tournament in Denise DilVillanova’s third ever 40 point never satisfied with her game, and lon’s first year. Siegrest is looking game. her work-ethic and competitive forward to it as well. First year head coach Denature allow her to get better each “As a player, you just want nise Dillon spoke on Siegrest and and every day. Maddy has also de- to keep looking forward,” she said. her drive. veloped into an outstanding leader “The goal this year is to finish “In my short time with for us, and the enthusiasm she higher in the league, compete for Maddy, I have been overwhelmbrings to the gym on a daily basis championships and ultimately ingly impressed with her inner is something our entire team feeds go to the NCAA tournament. So drive and passion for the game of off of.” that’s a motivator that I use every basketball,” Dillon said. “She is In her freshman year at day.”
Men’s Basketball Racks Up Four Positional Awards Anders Pryor Staff Writer Every year, the NCAA hands out positional awards for all five major positions on a men’s basketball roster. They are selected based on on-the-court skill level and off-the-court character traits. This year, four Wildcats are being recognized for these exact things by being placed on the Preseason Watchlists for their respective positions. Collin Gillespie – Bob Cousy Award Senior point guard Gillespie has been selected amongst the country’s best for the Bob Cousy award. The award recognizes both an elite level of skill as a shooter and distributor of the ball, but also the ability to be a consistent floor general who can control the offense and be the spiritual backbone of the team. Despite having never led the team in scoring since becoming a Wildcat, Gillespie has always been regarded as a leader of the team, and it’s why he’s being nominated. Other notable members of the watchlist are Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs, Kansas’ Marcus Garrett, Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham and Wisconsin’s D’Mitrik Trice. Justin Moore – Jerry West Award We knew that Moore was going to be good as a freshman, but
he’s a bit more than that. Moore slowly began to get more consistent starting spots as the year progressed, demonstrating consistent levels of play and tenacity over time. There is a certain mold that we know as the “Villanova Guard” — ferocious, sticks to the basics, holds the team accountable, clutch and mature. Fans have seen these traits demonstrated by guards of the past, such as Josh Hart, Dante DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson. Moore fits this mold perfectly, and will carry that aesthetic with him for his remaining years with the program. Those Villanova characteristics reflect the Jerry West Award. Other notable members of the watchlist are Kentucky’s Terrance Clark, Baylor’s Macio Teague, Duke’s D.J. Steward and Florida’s Scottie Lewis. Jermaine Samuels – Julius Erving Award Samuels has always been a foundational piece to the Wildcat program since the moment he laced up for the first time. The Julius Erving award recognizes impactful wing players who demonstrate good character while being able to showcase their explosive athleticism and elite abilities in the paint on the court. Samuels embodies this and will continue to do so in his senior year. Other notable members of the watchlist are Duke’s Wendell Moore, Memphis’ D.J. Jefferies, Michigan’s Isaiah Livers and Michi-
gan State’s Aaron Henry. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl – Karl Malone Award Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was one of the most highly respected freshmen in the country entering Villanova, as the five star recruit had offers from some of the best programs in the country, narrowing it down to Jay Wright’s team. From the very beginning, he brought a presence to his game that fans
see few and far between in college basketball. Because his emergence came to Villanova fans so quickly, many writers and fans wonder about how high his ceiling can be. His stats and attitude show it to be very high, which is why he is one of the key figures on the watchlist. Other notable members of the watchlist are Kentucky’s Isaiah Jackson, LSU’s Trendon Watford, UNC’s Garrison Brooks and Duke’s Mattthew Hurt.
Four positional nominees is an indicator of a team that is ready to showcase their talent. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
OPINION
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
The
Special
Sydney Sears Staff Writer Wearing a Villanova soccer jersey, Scarlett Miller became the newest member of the women’s soccer team on Thursday, Oct. 22. Miller, a 12 year old diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, was signed by Villanova women’s soccer, thanks to the work of Team IMPACT. Team IMPACT states on its website, “We tackle the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team. Through our two-year therapeutic program that complements their medical treatments, children develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.” Scarlett’s mom, Gabrielle, had nothing but good things to say about her family’s experience with Team IMPACT. “Everything we have done through them has been so respectful, kind, and joyful,” she said. “I
Addition
would love to give a shout out to the organization, which is a non-profit. The Philadelphia region is strong, and we want the community to know how great the group is.” According to the Mayo Clinic, Crohn’s disease is defined as “a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract for different people.” Miller shared about how living with Crohn’s, “day to day is normally [about] handling the mental side of things, but then once a month I’m handling the pain side of things when I get my infusions.” The disease affects her every day in several ways, including her energy level, iron levels and diet. She also takes medicine every day. “There really isn’t a day where [taking medication] isn’t a part of her everyday routine,” Gabrielle shared. The Villanova women’s soc-
Miller shared a signing day with a Villanova team member, Reagan Smith. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
The Villanovan | 15
to
Women’s
cer team has helped support Miller during her monthly infusions. For instance, Miller shared how during her last infusion, they all sent her a video wishing her luck. Even though Miller cannot come to campus right now, she has been texting with the team. “This has been a great distraction,” her mom said. “Normally she would be playing with her friends and doing things, and right now she can’t. Now she has 30 girls she can reach out to at any time.” Over the past few months, Miller has joined the team for weekly Zooms. Some members of the team have come over to her house for bagels or to go to the farmer’s market and some have stopped over to play board games. Miller also plays Words with Friends with the girls on the team daily. “I knew it the first time I met Scarlett that she was someone special,” women’s soccer head coach Chris McLain said. He stressed the importance of Villanova’s core value of family and community. “Any time you add someone to the club house, you want them to be able to feel like one of the family,” McLain said. “[Miller’s] personality is so big that it lights up the entire team. An incredible amount of confidence and self-awareness, it is almost as if she has been a part of this team for years. We are excited to have her join the squad. She’s family.” The women’s soccer player who Miller has seemed to have bonded with the most is junior
Soccer
midfielder Reagan Smith. Miller praised Smith, raving about how great she is and how, “She checks in on me to see how my day is. She even came for my birthday and for my draft day.” “We are so grateful to be able to work with Team IMPACT to bring Scarlett into our lives,” Smith said. Smith also talked about how while they have made an impact in Scarlett’s life, she has also made an impact on them. “Scarlett has been one of the best additions to our team culture,” she said. “Her infectious determined energy has restored our perspective on what it means to be a strong young woman. We are so incredibly proud of her and look forward to continuing to get to know her.” Each team member wrote Miller a letter before her signing day, which touched on personalized points between them and Miller, who shared how, “They mentioned things in their letters that I had mentioned before that I liked. They were very personalized and thoughtful.” Even though it has only been a few months, being paired with Villanova’s women’s soccer has made an impact on Miller, and she’s grateful for the opportunity. “It’s special to me because when you have an illness you miss out on a lot of things that your peers get to do,” she said. “So being able to be a part of the Villanova women’s soccer team makes it that much easier.”
University President Announces Students to be Allowed at Men’s Basketball Games in Spring 2021 Billy Vinci Co-Sports Editor On the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 12, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. sent an email to students confirming that students will be able to attend men’s basketball games upon their return in the spring semester. Donohue also confirmed a spring semester on campus for all students. “I am pleased to share that if we return to campus, a limited amount of students will be the only in-person fans (alongside players’ families) at Men’s Basketball home games,” Donohue wrote. “Attending these games is a chance to regain some sense of normalcy, and you’ve earned it.” There was an original belief that students, faculty and parents would be able to attend games up to about 20% of capacity, but Donohue’s email did not confirm exact numbers. So far, only games taking place before Jan. 1, 2021 have been announced. For games from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the only in-person fans will be players’ families, faculty and staff. Once the full schedule is released for men’s basketball, the Villanova Athletics Ticket Office will follow-up regarding student ticket
access for the remaining games. Donohue partially attributed the allowance of some students at home games in the spring to the success of Community First: The CARITAS Commitment. “I’ve asked a lot of you this semester—put Community First, wear a mask at all times, social distance, limit your gatherings and adjust to new modes of learning,” he wrote. “I know it hasn’t always been easy and that this semester isn’t what you envi-
sioned, especially without many of the events and activities that round out your campus experience. But here we are, still on campus, with two weeks left this semester.” With two weeks left in the semester, Donohue asked students to continue to remain vigilant. “I want you all to be able to go home and enjoy Thanksgiving with your families—and not be stuck in quarantine,” he wrote. “That will only happen if you make good deci-
sions and stay healthy, especially this weekend.” The men’s basketball team kicks off their season on November 25th against Boston College in Uncasville, Connecticut, at the Mohegan Sun. Currently, four home games are scheduled to take place over the semester break. Two Big East gam es against DePaul and Butler and two Big Five games against St. Joseph’s and Temple.
Fans cheering at a Villanova game before COVID-19. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
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DINING SERVICES
Villanova Dining Services
You’re invited to VDS Thankful Dinner Thursday, November 12 Donahue - Dougherty - St. Mary’s
Dining Services presents A traditional Thanksgiving Dinner
Thank you to the entire Villanova community for always putting Community First and helping to make this a safe & successful semester!