The Villanovan | Volume 111, Issue 8: September 9, 2020

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 111 | ISSUE 8

COVID-19 Tracker p. 2 University Officials Spend Time Off Campus to Reinforce Guidelines p. 3

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

University Begins Coronavirus Surveillance Testing for Students and Members of the Community

University Graduate Loses Bid for Commutation in Recent Case p. 3 New Title IX Regulations Take Effect at the University p. 4 Letter from the Editors: No More Parties in Radnor p. 5 Letter to the Editors: 9/11 — A Moment of Silence and Love p. 5 Ending Police Brutality Starts with Accountability p. 6 Rosie’s Coffee at Villanova Station: A Hidden Gem p. 7 Foreign Foodies Feature p. 7 Body Image and Disordered Eating p. 8 Quaran-Streaming p. 9 Club Spotlight: IHC p. 9 Jay Wright to Stay at Villanova p. 10 Lincoln Financial Field to Become Polling Center p. 11

Emily Cox Co-Editor-in-Chief

Prior to the University reopening for the fall semester, more than 10,000 students, faculty and staff were sent kits to administer at-home COVID-19 tests.

After three weeks on campus, members of the community received an email on Friday, Sept. 4 from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, PhD, O.S.A., announcing the addition of COVID-19 surveillance testing to the University’s already established testing strategy.

“Our goal is to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our campus community,” Dr. Mary McGonigle, Director of the University Health Center, said in an interview with The Villanovan. “That is our underlying goal for all the decisions we are making. We are asking the community to follow safety measures... so, we look at these measures as tools in the box. As management of the virus evolves in medicine, we are evolving with the process to keep our campus safe.”

Testing began Tuesday, Sept. 7 and will continue through the end of the semester. Participants will be randomly selected for testing.

The tests, which are highly sensitive, non-invasive and saliva-based, will be administered daily in the lobby of the Finneran Pavilion each morning. Test results will be available within 48 hours, and the testing data

the surveillance tests, which at 1% of our community, is about 125 tests per day.

We do expect an uptick in positive cases and we have prepared for that.”

For the past three weeks, the University has only administered tests to people who had COVID-19-related symptoms or who were close contacts.

“That’s a skewed group of people,” Stack said. “It doesn’t tell you how the virus has spread in the community...so the numbers there won’t really give you an accurate picture, whereas with the random testing, we will get a better picture of the whole spread.”

The University’s COVID-19 dashboard will evolve in the coming days to include the number of tests administered each day, which will be broken down into the number of diagnostic tests and surveillance tests adminOne student passes by St. Thomas of Villanova Church at sunset. istered. Both McGonigle and Courtesy of The Villanovan Stack agreed that it was a natural fit for the University will be included on the daily up and running.” to adjust the dashboard as COVID-19 dashboard.

Going forward, a testing evolves.

“The testing [from random selection of 1% will Whether the UniverQuest Diagnostics] we had be brought in each day. That sity remains open or seeks when we opened the doors, group will include students, a path of closure or camwas very expensive, and to faculty and staff. pus-wide quarantine if clusdo surveillance testing is also

The University ters arise rests on the Health very expensive, but at the will be working with Vault Center’s ability to manage same time, there is a lot being Health, which works closely cases, quarantine and isolasaid and written by experts in with a laboratory at Rutgers tion room availability and the field that surveillance test- University, to administer the personal responsibility of ing can help us get a handle these highly sensitive, salion the prevalence of the virus va-based tests. Proximity and community members to take and help us identify if there is timing were two main factors proper safety precautions.

“I think one of the a part of the campus that has of this partnership. questions we have continued a higher percentage of peo“[The Vault test] also fit our to get from community memple who are testing positive, institution at this point in bers is about what exactly all with the goal of helping time because we could do a would have to happen before us mitigate the virus as much large number of tests, have we close,” Stack said. “It’s as possible,” Rev. John P. them couriered quickly to the just not easy to quantify.

The Stack, O.S.A., Vice President lab and have the turnaround reality is, so far we are doing for Student Life, said in an time for the results within 48 pretty well with our resourcinterview with The Villanohours,” McGonigle said. es, with the preparations van. “It’s a decision — this is McGonigle addithe Health Center made all still expensive — but there is tionally noted that the Vault summer, like the space for some confidence that we’ve system is able to offer the quarantining. Everything is gotten off to a good start with University flexibility if there fairly good cooperation from are areas that show increased going fine, but that can all go away in one weekend where the students, and if this helps need for testing. us improve, all the better in

With a random group [cases] could explode.”

While the University terms of finishing the semes- selected each day for testing, has outlived many predictions ter.” in addition to the diagnostic that others made about how

The goal of surveiltesting already performed at long campus would remain lance testing for the Univerthe Health Center for sympopen, there is no clear cut sity is to randomly test about tomatic patients and close answer for a case number 1% of the campus commucontacts, the University is that would deem a closure nity daily, Monday through prepared to see a rise in casthe only option.

Friday. The Health Center es, as asymptomatic cases of “We aren’t going to hang our will continue to perform diCOVID-19 will likely begin hat on one number,” McGoagnostic testing and has rapid to appear. nigle said. “There are a lot testing capabilities.

“To put numbers of metrics that we look at,

“We did offer the in perspective, the Health and the leadership looks at a start of the [surveillance Center is still doing diagnoslot of metrics. What are our testing] program with the tic testing for symptomatic resources in the local hosnursing students, in regards students and for close conpital system? What are the to that it might be helpful to tacts of our symptomatic numbers in the surrounding them as they go into their students,” McGonigle said. counties? What is our case clinical sites at different hos“We’ve already performed, pitals,” McGonigle said. “At since the start of classes, over count and our ability to manage it? All these things go into the same time, they are help- 500 diagnostic tests. AddiContinued on p. 2 ing us in getting the program tionally, we are going to do

2 | The Villanovan

News 1 Opinion 5 Culture 7 Sports 10

COVID-19 TRACKER

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 111 | ISS. 8 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

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

NEWS

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

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

Possession — Synthetic / Liquor Underage August 21 Gallen Hall Four resident students were in possession of synthetic THC. Alcoholic beverages were also located. None of the parties involved was over the age of 21.

Disorderly Conduct August 23 Whole Campus Anonymous Tip received on the Nova Safe App reporting an unknown male acting disorderly inside a women ‘s restroom. No location was given with the anonymous tip.

Liquor Underage August 21 Good Counsel Hall A male resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Criminal Mischief August 23 Pavilion Damage to a beverage cooler door was discovered.

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

54

Liquor Underage August 21 Katharine Hall A male resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Villanova University

10,629

CORRECTIONS Grammatical corrections and rephrasing added to “Justice for Black Lives: A Virtual Vigil Calls on Villanovans to Take Action” article are updated online.

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

140,359

CAMPUS CALENDAR Campus Tree Tour September 9 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

In-person

Fall Career Fair September 10 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Virutal

Davis Fund for Student Experiences Information Session September 9 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Virutal

Self-Care Night September 11 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

In-person, Main Campus

Virtual Villanova: Meet JP Lance September 9 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Virutal

Outstanding Reserach at Villanova featuring Villanova Students September 14 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Virutal

Inclusive Hiring Meet Up September 9 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Virutal

CLAS Fall Preview Day September 14 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Virutal

Deloitte Consulting Case Preparation Workshop September 14 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Virtual Campus Tree Tour September 15 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

In-person College of Nursing Fall Preview Day September 15 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Virtual Sustainable Career Panel: Under 30 September 15 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Virtual

community first.

“While the measures might be a pain in many ways, it’s not as making a decision. I expect to be in much of a pain as having the disthe hundreds of cases throughout the ease,” Stack said. semester, and we have prepared for

Additionally, if a student it. There is a difference when you get comes to the Health Center with 500 cases in 24 hours and when you symptoms, that student will meet with get 500 cases over nine weeks. We the University’s contact tracing team. are just monitoring closely all those This entire process is confidential. issues and how we are able to manage “We want to know the prevthem.” alence and where there could be

Surveillance testing will allow outbreaks on our campus,” McGonithe Student Health Center to make gle said. “Our patients’ information is determinations about the level of private to us. I don’t want that to be a spread in the University communideterrent.” ty, identify asymptomatic cases for

Students, faculty and staff isolation and make timely decisions all have the ability to call the Health regarding intervention and response.

Center, call the University’s contact While this new method of testing will tracers and email the covid survey be added to the strategies in place, email address the University has community members must still follow established. These teams are in proper protocol and regulations set in place to help answer questions about place by the University.

COVID-19 and possible exposures.

“No matter what testing

“We want to encourage everyapproach we used, we all have to one to seek help when they need it,” comport ourselves like we have the vi- McGonigle said. rus — wear masks, be socially distant, In an additional step to keep monitor our symptoms, avoid large the community healthy, the Universigatherings,” McGonigle said. “What ty is hosting a four-day flu clinic this we are asking you to do is not compli- week in Jake Nevin Field House for cated, but it is not always easy. That all students, faculty and staff. McGois where the CARITAS commitment nigle stated that it will take about two comes into play, where we ask everyweeks for the immunity for the flu body to do their part.” shot to develop.

Before returning to campus,

“If there is ever a year to get all Villanovans were required to sign it, it’s this year,” Stack said.

Community First: The CARITAS

As science and testing evolves Commitment pledge. This instated for COVID-19, the University is prethe rules of wearing masks at all pared to evolve and as well. times, social distancing, washing and

“We were encouraged that we sanitizing hands, self monitoring, lim- were off to a good start, and just to iting travel and modifying behavior. add a tool in the box, the surveillance The University has repeatedly asked testing can be helpful to us to monitor students to follow this pledge, insisting the spread of COVID-19 in our comthat a successful semester relies on munity via asymptomatic patients,” putting the health and safety of the McGonigle said.

Continued from p. 1

Pennsylvania

6,514,231 United States

27,665,047 Worldwide

President Donald Trump and Former VP Joe Biden Focus on Pennsylvania Julia Butch Staff Writer

The 2020 Election cycle is heating up, with Pennsylvania emerging as a key battleground state and a major focus for both candidates.

In the past week, both President Trump and former Vice President Biden visited the state and sparred over issues likely to be critical to Pennsylvanians. After months of campaigning virtually, Biden gave a speech and answered press questions in Pittsburgh on Sept. 5.

As in years prior, one of Pennsylvania’s keystone voting issues is energy. Fracking, the practice of extracting natural oil and gas via drilling has long been important to the state’s economy.

This process has sometimes pitted environmentalists against oil production companies and workers.

When it came to this issue, Biden was on defense.

“I am not banning fracking,” Biden said. “Let me say that again. I am not banning fracking, no matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me.”

Meanwhile, Trump traveled to Westmoreland County, saying, “Biden — he wants to end fracking, end petroleum products — end petroleum. No natural gas, no noth-

ing. End everything. And that’s it.”

On a broader note, Pew Research Center data reveals that the main issue for 2020 voters is the economy.

While Trump boasts high job numbers and claims to have “built the greatest economy in the world,” Biden promises an “economic recovery plan for working families.”

Other major issues include healthcare and the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump stands by his response, stating, “America will develop a vaccine very soon, and we will defeat the virus. We will have it delivered in record time.”

Trump also leverages economic strength, stating, “We are recovering at a much faster rate than any other nation.”

Democrats are skeptical.

In particular, Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently stated that she “would not trust Donald Trump” when it comes to a COVID-19 vaccine.

With both sides motivated and expecting high voter turnout, this election remains unpredictable.

In fact, renowned political analyst Harry Enten believes “2020 could come down to one electoral vote.”

There are several key battleground states for the 2020 election.

Many, as reported on Pennlive, believe Pennsylvania “tops the list.”

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

NEWS

The Villanovan | 3

University Officials Spend Unpaid Time Off Campus to Reinforce Health and Safety Guidelines Jack Weidmayer Staff Writer

With 54 active COVID-19 cases (as of Sept. 8, 2020) at the University, some staff members, like Associate Vice President for Student Life Kathleen Byrnes, are demonstrating their commitment to keeping campus open.

The past two weekends, Byrnes and the non-official group of 12 other administrative members have spent their weekend nights at off-campus apartment complexes, such as The Villas at Bryn Mawr and College Hall Apartments (commonly referred to as “Home Props” and “The Courts,” respectively).

Byrnes referred to her group’s setup at The Villas as playing “zone defense,” as she and her colleagues attempt to intervene and de-escalate any social gatherings that break health and safety guidelines that have been put in place by the University and local and federal health officials.

When asked why a staff member would volunteer to devote unpaid time to sit at off-campus apartment complexes on the weekend, Byrnes said that this urge came from a sense of responsibility to the community. The possibility of a large party potentially resulting in a cluster of coronavirus cases that could then spread across campus causes great anxiety for University officials.

This group of University

Hall Apartments, were administrators met with curses and confrontations from students. However, these cases were anomalies, as students tend to keep their masks within close grasp and keep their distance while being social outside.

When asked about the University’s chances of staying open until November, Byrnes seemed very optimistic. Her initial stress was to make it to Labor Day Weekend, and now that the University has passed this point, she is nervous, but excited, to see how the University and undergraduate students handle the week. If Villanovans make it safely to mid-September, she feels that the University has a strong potential to stay open for the rest of the year.

Many factors will inevitably affect the University’s decision to remain open or closed, and just because one date passes does not mean that the possibility of closing is no longer an option. Byrnes Administrators have spent weekend nights at The Villas at Bryn Mawr. worries about Villanovans becoming Courtesy of Taylor Campbell complacent. She urges students to “stick with” protocols, and if all join administrative members has notof attack is to “interrupt, intervene together in this effort, the University ed its commitment to student and and de-escalate.” has a good possibility of remaining faculty health but also the desire to

Byrnes and her colleagues see the University remain open for are not as worried about document- open with healthy community members. the entire semester. Byrnes and her ing student offenses that they see,

While the University’s future colleagues believe that by spending but they are more concerned with is unforeseeable, Byrnes leaves time off-campus, especially where protecting student health. students with one message: Reach large gatherings are likely to happen, Based on what Byrnes has they have some chance of preventseen on her weekend nights off cam- out to friends and family. She understands that this is very isolating time ing irresponsible behavior. pus, she believes that students are

The approach of these receptive and willing to comply with with many points of anxiety, and if a community member knows someadministrative members is simple. herself and other colleagues that They are not and do not want to be students interact with. Only on a few one who may feel lonely, he or she should not hesitate to reach out. strict enforcers of policy. Their plan occasions, particularly at College

University Graduate Felix Rosado Loses Bid for Commutation in Recent Case by Board of Pardons Molly Mook Staff Writer

On Friday, Sept. 4, University graduate Felix Rosado lost his bid for commutation after his case was heard by the Board of Pardons. In 1996, Rosado was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole, after following the advice of an incompetent attorney and pleading guilty to the most serious charge he was facing — first degree murder — even though he was not guilty of that crime. At age 18, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Rosado recklessly played with a gun that went off and took the life of Hiep Nguyen. It was an accidental shooting with no intention behind it. Pennsylvania law states that third degree homicide is a killing that occurs as the result of recklessness. Therefore, Rosado should have pled guilty to third degree murder, which would have resulted in his sentence ranging from 10 to 20 years instead.

“Felix is guilty of taking a life, but Felix is not guilty of first degree murder,” Dr. Jill McCorkel, Professor of Sociology and Criminology at the University and Founding Director of the Philadelphia Justice Project for Women and Girls, said.

Only 18 years old and with “absolutely no understanding of criminal law or the way that the system works,” he was misled and the trajectory of his entire life changed. As his fam-

ily could not afford a good lawyer, he received poor advice from his attorney, who said that pleading guilty to first degree murder “would spare his family and the victim’s family of a trial, and he would be eligible for release after 15 or 20 years.” So, Rosado acted upon the guidance.

McCorkel shared that fact was not true in 1995, and it is not true today.

“In Pennsylvania, life in prison means the rest of your natural life,” McCorkel said.

She expressed that “there’s a profound injustice in the sentencing in this particular case, one that capitalizes on Felix Rosado’s youthful ignorance and naivety and his family’s poverty.”

During his sentence, “Felix has pursued every available avenue to make amends for his crime,” the Instagram account @getwokenova stated.

Rosado earned his undergraduate degree from the University through the prison and graduated summa cum laude in 2016. He has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students in the surrounding areas, co-founded a restorative justice organization called Let’s Circle Up, serves as an advisor to Eastern State Penitentiary Museum and has leadership roles in various advocacy organizations.

“Felix is a brilliant scholar,” McCorkel said.

Rosado’s sole chance for release was through commutation. Instagram account @phillyjusticeproject shared in a post: “Commutation is a reduction

in the sentence a court imposed following a criminal convention. . . issued by governors (for state criminal convictions) and presidents (for federal criminal convictions), a commutation does not eliminate the convention, nor does it imply the person is innocent of the crime.”

Commutations granted in America have greatly reduced since the 1980s. Between 1971 and 1978, the Pennsylvania governor granted 251 commutations, while there were only 40 granted from 1979 to 2014.

Since commutations have become so rare in the state, and people are typically discouraged from applying for commutation before they have exhausted their appeals, many incarcerated people don’t pursue the option, @ phillyjusticeproject told The Villanovan.

Rosado just now arrived at this point because he had to exhaust his appeals, and a commutation is unlikely without having served much time.

Philadelphia Justice Project explained that the opportunity for a commutation can be reached “through a lengthy application process that is vetted by district attorneys, judges and prison officials.” First, prison officials clear the person. Then, the Parsons Board must come to a majority vote in order for a public hearing to occur. Once he or she gets a hearing, the Board of Pardons interviews the person, victims are notified and the public hearing happens where a unanimous vote is needed in order to get a commutation.

Rosado’s case was heard by

the five-member Board of Pardons on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. He had the unanimous support of officials from his prison and DOC officials, with one DOC official describing him as a “blue chip inmate.” An official from the Office of Victim Advocate testified in support of Rosado’s commutation, which was the first time a member of that office has given support for the commutation of an incarcerated person. His good work also came up in the hearing with Jennifer Storm, claiming “that he does this not for his own gain — he did not ever anticipate coming up for commutation.”

Though his case was strong, unfortunately, two members on the PA Pardons Board voted against him, and Rosado lost his bid for commutation.

He was offered no explanation and no suggestions on how to improve his application. Rosado will file a request for reconsideration by the end of next week.

Philadelphia Justice Project posted a letter from Felix Rosado to his supporters that he wrote after learning his petition was rejected. The caption read, “We’re obviously disappointed by the Board’s decision but we believe that we can mobilize the evidence needed to overturn it.” Rosado’s letter offers thanks to all his supporters and says, “Initially crushed and numb, as the evening went on I began to see this more as an opportunity than a setback. And we’re only two votes away. Onward still, Felix.”

4 | The Villanovan

NEWS

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

New Title IX Regulations Take Effect at the University Emily Cox Co-Editor-in-Chief

On Friday, Aug. 14, new Title IX regulations went into effect mandating how colleges and universities investigate and adjudicate formal complaints of sexual misconduct involving students, faculty and staff. These new rules have impacted two areas of Title IX for the University: hearings and training.

“We recognize that our work as a community isn’t done,” Ryan Rost, Title IX Coordinator for the University, said in an interview with The Villanovan.

Complainants and respondents are now both required to have an advisor present at a hearing to conduct cross-examinations. Consistent with the Violence Against Women Act amendments to the Clery Act, the University has long permitted parties to have advisors.

Under the new Title IX regulations, parties must be accompanied by an advisor to a hearing, so the advisor can ask relevant questions of the party and witnesses. If a party does not have a self-selected advisor for a hearing, the University will provide one who has been trained in the topic of sexual misconduct.

“Our approach to these types of situations is that while it was not required for a student to have an advisor, we always felt it was important that our students were not going through these types of situations by themselves,” Rost said. “For Villanova, we felt it was the right approach to have someone to support them in some way, shape or form. The requirement is now in line with our practices, from a support standpoint, but the requirement has gone a step further, allowing the advisor to conduct live cross-examination questions.”

Section 106.45(b) of the 2020 Title IX Rules require the

sharing of “[a]ll materials used to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process. A recipient must make these training materials publicly available on its website, or if the recipient does not maintain a website the recipient must make these materials available upon request for inspection by members of the public.” The University is now legally required to make training materials publicly available.

The University is a member of the Student Conduct Institute, hosted by The State University of New York. SCI provides member institutions with training materials to train Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and any person who facilitates an informal resolution process in Title IX compliance and practices. These materials can be accessed through the University’s website.

The University’s Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Title IX Coordinators, investigators, hearing panel members, appellate officers, informal resolution facilitators and anyone issuing sanctions or disciplinary action is required to undergo training pertinent to Title IX and cases of secual misconduct.

“We are in the process of developing materials specific to Villanova,” Rost mentioned.

When the new Title IX regulations were issued in May, the University convened a Title IX Policy Committee, with key stakeholders from across campus. Faculty and staff from Student Life, the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel, University Compliance Office, Office of the Provost, Human Resources, Charles Widger School of Law, Public Safety and Athletics were included in conversations, as well as students across campus and colleges.

“Our policy is reviewed and

One student passes time between classes outside of Sheehan Hall.

Courtesy of The Villanovan

adjusted every summer, regardless of new regulations, so this was really a continuation of what our standard practice already is,” Rost said.

Throughout the summer, Rost worked with University representatives to facilitate conversations with students, faculty and staff, including two Title IX Listening Sessions, which were attended by more than 100 community members. The Title IX Policy Committee utilized feedback to update the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy.

“A bigger focus from students that I spoke to was wanting transparency and explanation about decisions made by the University in regards to Title IX and why those decisions were made,” Rost said.

While many aspects of Title IX have changed for educational institutions, the University has long implemented additional regulations for cases of sexual misconduct, and many rules have not changed for members of the community.

The standard of evidence for the University will remain “Preponderance of the Evidence,” following a more likely than not standard for all cases of sexual misconduct. All sexual misconduct covered under the previous policy remains covered under the new policy — incuding sexual harassment, sexual assualt, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation.

The University will continue to address sexual misconduct that occurs off campus, online, or abroad. Under the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, the school acknowledges the significant impact sexual misconduct has on community members, regardless of where the incident occurs.

“It is the responsibility of every Villanovan to create a safe environment for all of our community members to live, learn, work and visit,” University President Rev.

Peter M. Donohue, PhD, O.S.A., wrote in a comprehensive email to the community on Aug. 20. “By doing so, Villanova can be what our mission, and the spirit of caritas, calls us to be — a place where mutual love and respect guide all aspects of community life.”

Additionally, all University faculty and staff, except confidential resources, must report information about any incident of sexual misconduct to Rost, as the Title IX Coordinator, or to a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Numerous resources and supportive measures to those impacted by sexual misconduct will continue to be offered to all members of the community.

In regards to hearings, in line with processes of the past, the University will not force any community member to go through any particular process. Parties involved will receive information regarding the formal complaint process, but complainants and respondents both have the right to choose weather or not to participate in the grievance procedures.

New regulations require the availability of an informal resolution option if agreed upon by all parties and the University, except in cases of alleged employee-on-student sexual misconduct. Prior to the new regulations taking effect, the University had already provided the option of an informal resolution process, upon request and agreement by all parties and the University.

In compliance with University and CDC guidelines, the option of live hearings via remote technology will now be provided by the University. Formal resolution of most student sexual misconduct complaints, and some faculty and staff complaints, have been adjudicated via live, in-person hearings.

Whether held in-person or via remote technology, the University will continue to have a clear policy that prohibits disruptive, threatening, intimidating or uncivil behavior during hearings.

“Villanova has an ongoing commitment to strengthening our resources for all members of our community, with a focus on supporting vulnerable and marginalized populations,” Rost wrote in her email to the community on Aug. 31.

“Education and prevention efforts will continue to emphasize support for impacted individuals, as well as prompt and equitable processes in response to reports and complaints of sexual misconduct.”

As the policies evolve over the course of the school year, the University seeks longer-term, broad input from several members of the community. The University Compliance Office will host several Community Conversations during the month of September for community members to learn more and provide input about policy changes. In addition to Community Conversations, the University will launch sexual misconduct prevention and awareness education and training for all community members.

“We also recognize the need for ongoing dialogue regarding sexual misconduct prevention and response in order to create an environment free from harassment and sexual violence,” Rost wrote.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

The Villanovan | 5

OPINION

OPINION

Student Responsibility During the Time of COVID-19 Maggie Cavanaugh Staff Writer

Responsibility is a scary word for any college student. It piles up in syllabi, calls from parents and general expectations of our growing place in the world. The pandemic has added another layer of nuance to the responsibility that college students share, and no case better shows this than Northeastern’s dismissal of 11 freshmen who violated the school’s social distancing guidelines.

Obviously, Twitter users held a thought-provoking and civil discussion about the role of institutional obligations versus youth versus the role of community safety, and obviously, this is sarcasm.

Word limits and hashtags do not promote the careful gradation of consideration that this situation deserves.

In the case of these Northeastern students, they signed a contract stating that they would abide by rules issued by their administrators. Their administrators agreed tocreate comprehensive safety measures that if followed would keep their community

safe. Even the parents had to sign a statement saying they understood the risks and accepted that students could be sent home, forsaking tuition, if they violated the rules. These 11 students violated the rules, got caught and were sent home.

Beyond this case, there is a strong desire to pin all of the blame for university shutdowns on the students who violate the rules.

“Do you really want to be the reason that Tulane and New Orleans have to shut down again?” Tulane’s Dean of Students said.

“Prove them wrong,” University President Peter M. Donohue, PhD, O.S.A., said.

We all laughed at videos of UNC freshmen making water slides and saw evidence of our own freshmen gathering. Other sophomores and myself used our six months of seniority on this campus to blame them as the reason we could be sent home.

However, that’s not entirely fair. Students absolutely should carry some of the responsibility for keeping themselves and those around them safe. Those who break the rules deserve to be sent home. However, new studies about the coronavirus and con-

tainment come out every day. Harvard and Yale recently published a joint study on how frequent and strategic surveillance testing is needed to figure out which students are sick before they infect others. Debate still rages about the safety of dining halls, shared bathrooms and indoor classroom space.

Institutions do share some of the responsibility for keeping us safe.

In UNC’s case, the Dean theorized that certain aspects of dorm living, like communal bathrooms, were ulti-

mately what allowed cases to spread unchecked. However, in Notre Dame’s case, a two-week lockdown of online classes allowed the school to get a handle on the cases.

Most colleges have created contact tracing departments who work quickly to notify the potentially infected friends and lunch buddies of a sick student, but students can make it easier by being strategic about with whom they keep company. It’s a strange semester, Villanova, but we can make it a good one.

Villanova students must follow school and CDC guidelines to stay on campus this semester.

Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Letter to the Editors: 9/11 — A Letter From the Editors: Moment of Silence and Love No More Parties in Radnor Michael H. Skurecki University Alumnus, Class of 1991

On Sept. 11, 2020, the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks upon our soil, let us again remember, honor and reflect on those who perished and the families and friends they left behind. We must keep our flags flying and participate in ceremonies that will keep the memories alive for the past, present and all future generations.

During the day on 9/11, we must reserve a moment of silence, reflect on the events and share our love and compassion for the victims and family members. On this day of infamy, our hearts, along with those who have perished and those left behind, will be united. This attack on our country and our principals must never be forgotten.

We honor those who perished in New York World Center Tower’s attack which included Flight 175 passengers (51) and crew members (9), Flight 11 passengers (76) and crew members (11) and those in the Towers: firefighters, police, response teams, medical and other agencies and individuals (2605), for a total of 2,752 victims. I lost 15 of my fellow Villanova graduates in the Towers.

Letter

to

Mike Brown Director of the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members

This year marks the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on this country. For many on that day, it was just a typical Tuesday, but that quickly changed to a day that

We honor those who perished in the Pentagon attack in Arlington Virginia, which included Flight 77 passengers (53) and crew members (6) and those in the Pentagon that included military and civilian personnel (125), for a total of 184 victims. I lost my Northrop Grumman Corporation co-worker, Julian Cooper.

We honor those who perished on a field near Shanksville Pennsylvania, Somerset County, whose actions on board the aircraft prevented it from continuing on the course to what has been determined our White House.

This included Flight 93 passengers (33) and crew members (7) for a total of 40 and an unborn child.

We must never forget our 9/11 victims as we continue to love our country and be proud that we are Americans. At every opportunity, we must also thank our military members, veterans and various agencies who are responsible for protecting our country.

On Sept. 11, 2020 and all future anniversaries, we must remember our 9/11 victims “not who they were, but who they are.” God Bless America, our 9/11 victims and families, our military, our veterans, our wounded warriors and our citizens.

In remembering, there is peace.

the

Editors:

ended far from typical, and one that changed the world forever. Since then, we have fought in two separate wars, we have gone through several presidential elections, and we are currently going through a global public health crisis. What have we learned, and where are we headed?

What we as an institution

The University is beginning random testing starting this week. This is fantastic news; many on campus have been calling for the school to test more often since we arrived on campus.

What this also means, however, is that students will no longer be able to get away with holding parties, either on or off campus.

It is no secret that there have been a few parties that have gone on since we have been back on campus.

Despite most students taking the commitment to CARITAS seriously, there are some who seem to think that it does not apply to them and have continued to act as though there is not a global pandemic currently going on. While you may have been able to get away with this so far, surveillance testing will end that.

Random testing ensures that, in all likelihood, you will be caught if you choose to host or attend parties this semester, especially when combined with contact tracing. Parties will cause large outbreaks of COVID-19 since the disease is incredibly contagious, meaning that, among other things, your chances of getting caught will increase once testing begins.

Surveillance testing is unequivicolly a good thing for the University community. It ensures that those who

The

are not respecting the commitment to Community First aren’t causing outbreaks that affect the rest of the community.

As we have been saying since we came back to campus, it is on each and every one of us to ensure that we are holding each other accountable this semester. While it is true that the vast majority of students will not be severely impacted by COVID-19 even if they contract it, it is selfish to think that your decisions will not impact high risk students, staff and faculty. Our community has been extremely lucky thus far, but that does not mean that we are out of the woods yet.

The Villanovan Editorial Board fully supports the University’s decision to enact surveillance testing.

It is a necessary further step towards ensuring that we remain on campus for the remainder of this academic year.

We are aware that the temptation to act like things are normal is strong, but we cannot do that this year. To those that have been following the entirety of Community First and CDA guidelines thus far, we applaud and thank you for taking the steps necessary to staying here. To those who haven’t, we sincerely hope that the addition of randomized testing will ensure that everyone is helping to protect one another.

Legacy

lost that day were 15 people who were proud alumni of Villanova, and there is a stained-glass window in Corr Chapel, that lists their names, and pays tribute to them. We also have students on this campus who because of 9/11 chose to join the military, or students here, whose parents served in Iraq or Afghani-

of

9/11

stan, and are here working towards their degree. The legacy of 9/11 is complex, and one that varies depending on your perspective. What I hope we can do this year, is take a step back from our hectic lives, and remember those who died, those who served, and those who carry on.

OPINION

6 | The Villanovan

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

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

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

POLICY

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

Ending Police Brutality Starts with Increased Accountability Thomas Finnerty Staff Writer

Enough is enough. In the wake of the most recent death of a Black man at the hands of police, we must address several problems within the police community. Daniel Prude was visiting family in Rochester, New York in March 2020 when he died via homicide due to “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint, excited delirium and acute phencyclidine intoxication,” according to the medical examiner. When the police officers first encountered Prude, they asked him to lie down and put his hands behind his back. Prude immediately complied and responded, “yes sir.”

The toxicology report found traces of the drug PCP in Prude’s system, and body camera footage shows him in a somewhat manic state of behavior while he lay naked in handcuffs on the street around 3 a.m. Prude rambled incoherently for about four minutes after being put in handcuffs, and one officer put a “spit hood” over his head after Prude claimed he had coronavirus and began to spit at them. With a hood over his head and his hands cuffed behind his back, Prude began say-

ing “give me that gun.” Despite his erratic behavior, Prude posed little threat to the officers. Body camera footage shows the Rochester Police officer pressing Prude’s head into the pavement for over two minutes with his entire bodyweight. He can be heard saying, “You’re trying to kill me,” as the officer continues to press his head into the ground. After two minutes of this excessive force, Prude went unconscious. Seven days later, he died at Strong Memorial Hospital.

In today’s political climate, it often feels like you must either condemn all police officers or support all police officers. I refuse to be grouped into one of these categories; there is a middle ground.

We must respect and praise police officers who make a positive difference in their communities, as they have one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Simultaneously, we must wholeheartedly condemn police officers who abuse their power and fail to serve and protect their communities. The toxic culture within police departments of protecting each other regardless of the situation has created this backlash against cops. We will continue to see Black men killed by police in this country unless police officers hold one another account-

able and work to de-escalate hostile situations.

After watching the footage of Daniel Prude’s death, I posted a link to the video on social media and implored people to watch the video. Hours later, a retired police officer reached out to me asking me to stop posting videos about things I know nothing about. After a long discussion, he informed me that “these are people with no respect for themselves much less anybody else” and “cops can’t murder people.”

While each of these statements was appalling to me, it allowed me to see the point of view of someone who has been in high-tension situations like this before. The mindset that police officers cannot murder people is just plain backwards, and it shows how having authority can cloud one’s judgement. The assertion that a certain group of people have no respect for themselves shows an implicit bias that will certainly affect one’s judgement while policing. We need to eliminate these false notions rooted in prejudice and find ways to build a level of mutual understanding and respect between police officers and members of their community.

Daniel Prude’s death has parallels to George Floyd’s death in

Minneapolis, when a police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, suffocating him to death. In both incidents, there were several police officers at the scene watching as their partner killed the detainee. This lack of empathy, leadership and compassion for another human being’s life is mind boggling to viewers of these videos.

When you are dealing with a threatening situation, it is your responsibility to keep your fellow officer in check. In both cases, the officer used excessive force and none of their coworkers seemed to care.

Another example of the lack of accountability within the Rochester Police Department is the fact that this video took nearly six months to surface. The incident took place on March 20, 2020, but the police officers remained on active duty until Sept. 3, when seven officers were suspended. From March until September, the officers responsible for Daniel Prude’s death have been patrolling the streets of Rochester.

How can we expect citizens to trust police officers with this utter lack of communication and transparency?

No one disputes that police officers have difficult jobs, but, to do this difficult job successfully, they must hold each other accountable.

Villanova’s Handling of Online Classes Has Been Fantastic Jacob Artz Staff Writer

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” This is a statement that a former teacher of mine always said before a test. The University faces a huge test this semester by operating on campus despite the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on the world. It seems, so far, that the University is living up to its name as an academically prestigious university. Through its preparation and commitment to community, this plan has unfolded smoothly.

March 13 is a day we will never forget. Many of us thought we would be back on campus after Easter, but after a few weeks, it became official. The rest of our college year would be cut to an abrupt end, especially for the seniors.

There is, however, a bright spot that shined through the grim outlook reported on news networks, and that is the University’s commitment to a world-class education.

When I left my last class of my freshman year, I figured classes on Zoom would be a disaster. I was wrong.

All of my professors worked diligently to give us the best experience possible. They eased into sharing screens, utilizing breakout rooms and encouraging us to use the raise

areas and maintain distance when going to class. Everyone is encouraged to use hand sanitizer or wipes to keep their space clean for themselves and others.

There is much credit to go around as this plan has unfolded almost as cleanly as the sanitizer makes our hands. The summer to prepare enhanced Villanova’s reputation as one of the greatest schools in the county and is the reason I love being Zoom classes have been a massive change for most colleges and students across the world. a Villanovan. The amount of effort Courtesy of Bark Blog they put into our return to campus hand feature to cement our partici On June 23, University is evident including the spaced-out pation. They kept the classes live so President Peter M. Donohue, PhD, lines at the dining halls and plexiglass we could follow our normal weekly O.S.A., announced we would be at tables to limit the spread. The routine, though, trust me, it was just coming back to campus in-person for students, for the most part, have taken as hard getting up for the 8:30 a.m. the fall semester. While he discussed this commitment seriously by wearing class. An especially inspiring story many categories of the plan, the masks and preventing large gathercame from my Theology professor, most important sentence was that we ings. If students have thrown parties Dr. Paul Danove, who is mostly blind. would be back in the fall. This was or refused to wear masks, they have Through two computers, one showimperative to everyone involved in been punished severely. ing students and the other showing this community because we would

The University always comhis lecture notes, he was able to give be able to experience our semester mits itself to the highest standards. us quality lectures on the Gospels. together.

This article may seem like I am prais Obviously, not all of the op The handling of classes and ing the school I attend, and I am, but erations were perfect. I experienced adjusting to schedules has been noth- more so because of how shocked I a couple of moments when I could ing short of outstanding. All classes am at how well this plan has worked. not hear my professor or when the have been moved to areas where My education has not skipped a beat, audio was choppy. The quality of larger spaces are available. All classes as many institutions have seen a dethe quizzes and tests were impacted include spread-out desks to maincline in instruction in online learning. significantly; some classes allowed tain social distancing and wearing Online classes here have their downstudents to use notes and textbooks masks to ensure the limiting of the sides with technical gaffs, but profeswhile others may not have, creating COVID-19 spread. Schedules were sors have worked extremely hard to a difference in difficulty throughout adjusted for 20 minutes in between give us all the content we would have otherwise similar classes. classes so students can clean their had in person.

CULTURE

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

The Villanovan | 7

CULTURE

Rosie’s Coffee at Villanova Station: A Hidden Gem Grant Carter Co-Culture Editor

Anyone who has ever undertaken the long trek between West Campus to Main, or vice versa, has undoubtedly noticed, settled along the train tracks, a well-established institution of Villanovan life: Rosie’s Coffee at Villanova Station. Despite some changes in management over the years, this nook on campus — popularly known as Rosie’s — has been a frequent stop for students and SEPTA commuters alike for more than two years.

As some more seasoned residents of Villanova’s campus might recall, the train station — a registered historical site of Pennsylvania — has long been fitted as a coffee shop. It was formerly known as Rosie’s Mug and has long shared the space with the local SEPTA office.

In early 2018, it underwent a change of management that ultimately conceived the Rosie’s that students know and love today. The story of how it came to be is remarkably fitting and rather representative of the ingenuity and creativity of its owner.

Some time during that spring semester, University employee Brian Galloway was strolling through campus when he noticed that space in the old train station building was up for sale. Galloway told his wife immediately, as it was an opportunity almost too good to be true. At the time, the couple’s youngest child

(whose middle name, ironically, is Rose) had just turned 18 months, and Galloway’s wife, Deanna, was looking for a departure from her teaching career that still allowed her to be around young people in some way.

The opportunity was ripe, although not spontaneous. It was a sentimental pursuit in some sense.

Deanna Galloway grew up in Montgomery County, never living more than a mile from a train station, one of which housed her favorite coffee spot. Her first job in high school was also at a Starbucks in a Barnes & Noble, although it was not until she had kids that coffee became a “necessity.” All along, however, the idea of opening her own place had been looming in her mind.

The location was just as perfect. Besides already being fitted as a coffee shop, it is also uniquely situated along the tracks so that it is on campus, although not technically owned by the University itself, allowing her some additional autonomy in promoting and expanding the business. The unique location also makes Rosie’s the only independent business to operate at the University.

With the start of the new term that August, after months of hard work and ingenuity, Rosie’s was officially opened to University students and passerbys alike. It was completely refurbished, adorned with a new logo and operated by its first staff of student employees. It has since become central to campus life,

as it has to Galloway herself.

Any patron of Rosie’s knows that Galloway’s positivity is as inevitable as the sounds of delicious coffee and smoothies being prepared.

She is keen to talk with her customers, particularly the students, and is known by her employees for her acute memory for names and faces.

Although the people are her “favorite part of the job,” Galloway also takes great pride in knowing that she can provide a healthy alternative for University students to most locations on campus.

The menu is designed to fit the needs of any diet, with plenty of options, shifting by the month.

Despite Rosie’s variety, Galloway herself sticks to the basics: an iced almond milk latte or an occasional banana bowl with Nutella and granola. Many customers who stop in between classes even have distinct custom orders, some of which have even made it onto the menu itself.

With the onset of COVID-19, which sent home all University students last March, Galloway has gotten even more creative with ways to drum up business.

“When we first bought the business, we discussed a lot of scenarios that could happen to affect it,” Galloway said. “We’ve encountered a few of those possibilities, but nothing has ever come close to this.”

The return to an abnormal campus life this fall has forced some new regulations within Rosie’s to comply with local and state standards, and

staff is notably dedicated to ensure it remains as safe a space as possible.

The business might be back, but it is certainly not the same.

Consider stopping by to support this small business, even if it might be well out of the way of your normal route through campus.

One visit is all it takes to realize how Rosie’s has continued to weather the storm, and how it has remained a staple of Villanova life to this day.

Rosie’s owner, Deanna Galloway Courtesy of Grant Carter

Foreign Foodies: Two Univeristy Students Review Food and Restaurants in Philadelphia and Beyond A.J. Fezza Co-Culture Editor

Tortolo (left) and Bohrt (right) celebrate 6,000 Instagram followers.

Courtesy of @foreign_foodies_

Whether it is singing, acting or fashion, University students are known to show off their talents on social media. One of these areas is cooking.

School of Business junior Julia Tortolo and School of Business senior Rodrigo Bohrt are an upperclassman couple that loves to eat, cook and review restaurants in the Philadelphia area and around the world. They post their recipes and reviews on the Instagram account @foreign_foodies_, which has more than 6,400 followers as of Sept.

7.

The two recounted their experience starting the account with each other back in January.

“We never ran any food accounts before Foreign Foodies,” Tortolo said. “When we started dating, we realized we both love to try new restaurants and enjoy eating a variety of meals. As we started to explore restaurants in the area and posting about them on our personal accounts, our friends started asking us for recommendations on places to eat. We then came up with the idea of creating a food account to share our food experiences with everyone.”

Tortolo studies Marketing, and Bohrt studies Management and Analytics. They have already been able to collaborate with over 25 businesses

to promote products to their audience on their Instagram account.

Most reviews are local, covering restaurants like Enoteca Tredici in Bryn Mawr and Terrain Cafe in Devon. However, the couple has also covered restaurants as far as New York City, London and Brazil, where Tortolo is from.

Whenever they travel abroad, they try to eat the traditional cuisine of the region. In Brazil, they enjoyed Brazilian meat barbecue and ate fresh fish by the seaside.

“Our main goal, when we started our food account, was to post restaurant reviews, but now it’s much more than that,” Bohrt said. “We want to promote a balanced lifestyle to our followers. We want to show people that you can be healthy and still enjoy every kind of food including some high carbohydrate desserts. From salads to milkshakes, people should enjoy everything they eat. When you eat good, you feel good.”

They love running the account and plan on keeping it active as long as possible, even after they both graduate.

For the time being, they plan to remain solely on Instagram, since they enjoyr the way Instagram lets them engage with followers and be creative with content.

Make sure to check out their account for plenty of recipes, reviews and new places to try.

8 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Body Image and Disordered Eating in Campus Life Chris DiLullo Staff Writer

Trigger warning: This article pertains to issues of disordered eating and body image concerns.

For college-aged adolescents, dealing with moving to college, finding friends and other adolescent-related anxieties can make some days difficult. Whether it is worrying about passing a class or finding the friends you want to spend four years of your life with, the college period in anyone’s life can be very difficult.

However, two issues that many college-aged adolescents deal with that may not be quite as evident as some of the ones mentioned above are eating disorders and body image concerns. Many adolescents struggle with feelings of anxiety and discomfort about their body already, and in a modern world where everyone is dealing with increased anxiety due to a global pandemic, those with eating disorders are facing an even more difficult environment than before.

Robia Smith-Herman, a

therapist at the Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders, believes that the global pandemic and quarantine have exacerbated difficulties for individuals diagnosed with eating disorders.

“One of the things that’s important to note about eating disorders is that they thrive in isolation, and so, if you couple the increased isolation with the increased stress and everything that’s going on in the world, eating disorders are also disorders of emotion and disorders of connection,” Smith-Herman said. “We can see an increase in the eating disorder because it’s responding to those emotional experiences.”

However, coming to campus for the first time or returning for the start of the school year brings its own set of triggers and potential issues. Smith-Herman pointed out the patented “Freshman 15,” notably reimagined as the ‘Quarantine 15” in recent months and explained that the concept can be harmful to students.

“The ‘Quarantine 15’ is just a reimagined ‘Freshman 15, and it’s still this idea that promotes that thin ideal, that you must be thin to be accepted and the idea that

gaining weight is a negative thing... and these messages and these jokes are really harmful, particularly to individuals with eating disorders who are dealing with body image concerns as well, as it reinforces this idea that your body is what is communicating for you, that you must look a certain way in order to be accepted, in order to make friends, in order to get good grades, and that’s really not the case,” she said.

College students can face an uphill battle against eating disorders and body image concerns given the prevalence of social media and the turmoil that many have had to face over the past months with the constant change in the world. Taking care of oneself has the potential to take a backseat when compared to anxieties about the state of the world and the progression of the pandemic, and that could result in dangerous habits for many adolescents.

Thus, Smith-Herman spoke of several tips she had for college students looking to take care of themselves, whether on a meal plan or cooking for oneself. Most prominently, Smith-Herman noted the importance of remembering that all

foods fit into one’s life.

“One of the things that we really talk about at Renfrew is the idea that all foods fit, and really, when you attach judgment to food, labeling it ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy,’ that can create a negative relationship with food,” Smith-Herman said.

Among other pieces of advice, Smith-Herman encouraged students to pay attention to sales in grocery stores to get high-quality foods at lower prices, to look for foods that are in season to take advantage of their lower prices and to buy protein in bulk and freeze it to get the most for your dollar.

Ultimately, Smith-Herman maintained that students should step away from labeling food as “healthy” or “unhealthy” and to remember that fluctuations in weight are normal and to let the body do its job of monitoring weight.

The pandemic and returning to school make things difficult for every student, including those dealing with eating disorders or body image concerns. If you are interested in seeking help or have any questions, consult the Villanova Health Center.

A Window into the Residence Life of Area Coordinators Matthew Gaetano Staff Writer

When students consider who is in charge of Residence Life, it’s likely that the first person they consider is their Resident Assistant, or maybe even their Resident Director. This is probably because they frequently see and interact with their Resident Assistant, especially given that they live within the same residence hall. Yet, there’s a position that oversees the roles of both Resident Assistants and directors: the Area Coordinator.

The Board of Area Coordinators for Residence Management consists of five Area Coordinators, each charged with a specific region of residency on campus. These regions are West Campus (headed by Danielle Stine), East Campus (Shalyssa Smith), Main Campus (Amber Williams), South Campus (Terrence Draper) and Villanova Commons (Molly Boylan). Similar to Resident Assistants, each Area Coordinator lives on campus alongside students within residence halls. In order to learn more about faculty life on campus and the role of area coordinators, The Villanovan spoke with Danielle Stine, an area coordinator in Welsh Hall.

The Villanovan: Could you tell us a bit about your role as Area Coordinator?

Danielle Smith: I supervise two graduate resident directors and 24 Resident Assistants. So, my two grads split my staff in half, and each of them supervises 12 RAs. What I do is work with the staff to set up their programming initiatives for all of West Campus and supervise any reports that come in. These might be incident reports, personal concerns about students or any roommate concerns.

So, how that works is an RA will write a report, I go in, I read through it, I make any edits that need to be made and then I forward it to the Dean of Students. However, personal or

roommate concerns usually stay with me.

TV: All Area Coordinators live on campus. Can you tell us more about that?

DS: So part of our role, and probably one of the most important parts, is that we serve on the on-call rotation. Every single night, there is a professional staff member on call.

You’ve probably noticed that there are RAs on duty and then in addition to the RAs, there are the graduate Resident Directors who serve on the rotation as well. We are above the graduates, so, that’s the main reason we’re on campus, but it’s kind of twofold. One reason is that we’re immersed in the student experience and we can really get an idea of what it’s like living on campus. But also so that if we do have to respond to an after-hours incident, we’re in close proximity to get to it quickly.

TV: You live with your family on campus. What’s that like?

DS: It’s good. It’s definitely a challenge having a family on campus, but I think most of the challenges are just getting used to that concept. We’ve made it work really well. We’ve been at Villanova for two years, and before that I worked at La Salle University in a very similar role for two and a half years...We’ve had our dog since she was five months old, and she is extremely sociable and loves people; I think that’s because of being raised in this environment. My son is only nine months old, but I’ve seen the benefits of having children surrounded by college students. I’m really excited for him to grow up having that social acclamation. So far, it’s been really, really great.

TV: Do you have a favorite part about living on campus?

DS: I’ll give you two. One is more logistical, and that would be that it’s really nice we don’t have to mow or shovel snow out of the driveway. That’s a huge benefit to living on a campus, but the real benefit is

Welsh Hall, one of the eight West Campus apartments Courtesy of Matthew Gaetano

that you’re never alone; there’s always people around, and there’s always something to do. This is true even with the pandemic, and I lived here through the entire shutdown and quarantine period. Even though we were still social-distancing and staying mostly in our own apartments, there were still other professional staff members that lived here. We were able to get together from afar and spend time together. I really love that aspect of it.

TV: Is there a particular negative about living on campus?

DS: The first thing that comes to mind is parking, because the staff members don’t have assigned parking, so I feel that struggle just as much as the other residents.

TV: Do the Area Coordinators have any particular goals this year, in relation to the virus or otherwise?

DS: The overall goal is that we want everyone to stay, and we want you all to be healthy. As you know, that means we’re reminding students to wear masks, and we’re holding them accountable if they’re not wearing masks or wearing them properly. I think that can often be a double-edged sword, because holding someone accountable can cause a difficult relationship. Ultimately, we’re

not doing it just to say this is a rule and you have to do it. We’re doing it because we want you all to stay for the whole semester and to come back in the spring, and we want you all to be healthy. We’re also really working hard with our RAs to plan programming. Unfortunately, the majority of it is going to be virtual, because it has to be, but we want students to enjoy being here, and we want to do things that students want to do. Residents can go to their RAs and say, “I want to do this,” and the RAs can make it happen. If they say they want a viewing party, some kind of game to be run or some kind of event to happen, we can try to make it happen. You just have to ask us.

Stine made it clear that she wants students to be able to contact not only their Resident Assistants, but their Area Coordinators as well.

Often, students don’t know about Area Coordinators and don’t take advantage of the ability to reach out to them. Utilizing relationships with Area Coordinators can provide a gateway to better life on campus for everyone. If you have an issue with an aspect of Residence Life, the odds are that Area Coordinators deal with it too.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 9

Weekly Student Club Spot- Socially Distant Ways to light: Inter-Hall Council Spend Time with Friends A.J. Fezza Co-Culture Editor

As most upperclassmen know, University housing typically tries to foster a sense of community. Common rooms in each residence hall would typically be a social hub for students. There would occasionally be events within residence halls, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day parties.

However, much has changed since last spring. Plans for St. Patrick’s Day and end-ofyear parties came to a screeching halt, and now such holiday events would be a violation of University guidelines. Many common rooms are even temporarily gone, having been transformed into extra rooms for students. Still, the Inter-Hall Council (IHC) has worked to keep spirits high.

IHC is a student organization that aims to improve community living in residence halls.

There are individual councils for each hall, as well as a wider council. For West Campus, there is a shared council, while most of the residence halls on Main Campus and South Campus have their own individual councils, run by

Courtesy of Villanova University

students who live in the buildings they represent. IHC’s wider council is responsible for campus-wide events. These events include Freshman Orientation and Nova Harvest.

At Freshman Orientation this year, IHC shifted its events in part to an online focus. Usually, IHC’s role in Freshman Orientation is to run the Water Ice Social. At this social, which is similar to Cat-chella, freshmen receive Rita’s Water Ice, wear necklaces with colors corresponding to their dorm and socialize. This year, the event was cancelled. Instead, IHC held games of “Mafia” online.

Freshmen could sign up online and play with IHC members.

Nova Harvest is an annual fall festival at the Riley Ellipse, hosted solely by IHC. There are games set up, at which participants can win prizes, along with cider and donuts for snacks. This year, Nova Harvest will be cancelled as well. However, IHC will have a fall campus event. They have not decided yet on what it will be, but they are looking to possibly partner with another club to plan it.

Sophomore Matthew Gaetano was in charge of St. Monica Hall and Katharine Hall last year. He has recently risen to his current job on the IHC Executive Board as an event planner for campus-wide events. Gaetano encourages freshmen to apply to IHC.

“It’s a great way to make friends and get a leadership role freshman year, and it’s not that demanding,” Gaetano said. “It’s fun to build events for the community and bring people together when we need it most.”

Julia Stanisci Staff Writer

Being back at school, it’s natural to want to socialize, spend time with friends and see as many people as possible. However, we all know that this can’t be the norm this semester. In order to be safe and keep us on campus, we all have to do our part in keeping our circles small. The University’s contact tracing team has advised that you should only be able to list under 10 people as close contacts (people you have been with for 15+ minutes without a mask).

While we may not be able to socialize and catch up with friends in typical ways, it is still possible to have fun with friends in safe, socially distant ways. Here are some examples of fun, safe activities you can do with close friends during this exceptionally unusual semester:

Picnic: A longstanding Villanova trend that has gotten even more popular this year is picnics by the church. Bring some blankets, grab takeout and enjoy golden hour and a nice sunset with your friends.

This scene is also an incredible aesthetic Instagram post opportunity, so get on it.

Portable Chairs on the Quad: Hang out with your friends in front of the Chapel or on Mendel Field. Post up with your friends and your chairs for a lovely socially distant catch-up. The vibes are immaculate, trust me.

Take a Walk Around Campus: Walking is underrated. Go on a walk around our beautiful campus with a few friends. This is great for

people watching or awesome exercise, and it’s overall very beneficial for both your physical and mental health.

Hike: Take a hike while it’s still nice out. This semester is the perfect time to explore the nature of Delaware County. Haverford Reserve has lots of trails nearby, or explore Valley Forge National Historical Park. Google “hiking near me” for endless options.

Outdoor Dining: Support local businesses and enjoy a meal with your circle by visiting one of the local restaurants for lunch and dinner. Minella’s, Xolo, Pietro’s and so many more are offering expansive outdoor seating options perfect for small groups to enjoy. Don’t forget your mask.

Other Activities: There’s always painting, grilling, frisbee, soccer, hammocking and more. The options are endless, so you can get creative. Take advantage of being able to be with your friends while we are all still on campus. Start a Villanova Bucket List to turn all these dreams into a reality.

Netflix Party: When all else fails, revert to an early-quarantine classic. Download the Netflix Party extension on Chrome and watch a movie with your friend group. Obviously, it’s no classic movie night, but one can still get the feeling of togetherness.

No matter what you do, always remember to wear a mask at all times and practice safety measures, like hand washing and keeping a maximum of 6 feet between every other person.

Quaran-Streaming: Shows Watched During the Pandemic dies, these shows remind us to keep our spirits up.

According to some students, theme songs like “I Know,

2020 has met a formidable You Know” from “Psych” allowed foe: the coronavirus pandemic. In them to travel back in time and the early months of the widespread reminisce about the good old days lockdown, many turned to new pre-coronavirus. Beloved characand fan-favorite television shows ters like the iconic duo, Shawn and seeking comfort. While the film Gus, brought humor when it was industry has had to halt production most needed. Also, “Psych 2: Lassand movie theaters have closed ie Come Home” debuted to auditheir doors, audiences stuck inside ences on Peacock, a new streaming discovered their new favorite hob- service, in mid-July. Dedicated by during quarantine. fans of the show, known as Psych Storytelling transports us Os, were thrilled to join Shawn to different, fictional worlds, free and Gus on another adventure and from COVID-19, back to a time reconnect with Carlton “Lassie” when we didn’t have to stay six Lassiter to solve a mysterious case. feet apart or wear masks. The Critics and Psych-Os alike praised magic of storytelling brings us a bit the film for its witty script and of joy, makes us laugh and most of heartfelt moments. Villanovans all, distracts us from the stress and hope that the showrunners decide uncertainty of today, even if only to produce a third movie soon. for a little while.

“New Girl” and “Friends”

“New Girl,” “Psych,” also made Villanovans laugh, cry “Parks and Recreation” and and reminisce over how much we “Friends” are some of the more missed our friends and roommates comedic television shows students from school. Although “Friends” have binge-watched over the left Netflix in January, “New lockdown months. They brought Girl’s” seven seasons remained humor, comfort and nostalgia and were watched by millions back into our lives during a time of during the lockdown. Roommates great uncertainty. All classic come- Jess, Nick, Winston and Schmidt Olivia Sabalaskey Staff Writer

brought audiences humor and allowed them to escape into a world free from COVID-19. The show’s strong cast and the heartfelt moments allowed it to become a show many students watch regularly.

Other television shows students binge-watched over the lockdown include dramas like “Outer Banks,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness.”

In the first 10 days after it was released, about 35 million people watched the true-crime docuseries “Tiger King” on Netflix, surpassing “Stranger Things” season two viewership by about three million. This unbelievable, mind-boggling story attracted viewers during the lockdown.

Given “Tiger King’s” quick rise to popularity, new scripted remakes are currently in the works and will reportedly star actors like Nicolas Cage as Joe Exotic and Kate McKinnon as Carole Baskin.

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” a fan favorite on Amazon Prime Video, has received dozens of Emmy nominations this year. Set in the late 1950s, this fast-paced series is admired by Villanovans for its wit, beautiful

cinematography and story full of empowerment, comedy and drama. Showrunners hope to resume production soon so audiences can follow Midge Maisel on her journey to stardom in season four.

“Outer Banks,” a new action-packed teen adventure series, debuted mid-April on Netflix and became popular almost immediately. Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a group of teenagers finds themselves caught in a dangerous treasure hunt. Villanovans enjoy its many plot twists that they hope will continue in season two.

Showrunners and cast members have confirmed that production for the second season has already started.

Although production dates for new episodes of some of these fan-favorite television shows remain unclear, audiences look forward to finding new shows to watch during these uncertain times. We all crave a sense of normalcy, so we continue to immerse ourselves into fictional worlds full of humor, drama and adventure.

In the meantime, Villanovans are determined to balance academic life with their new, beloved hobby: quaran-streaming.

SPORTS

10 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

SPORTS

Jay Wright to Stay at Villanova, Turning Down 76ers Billy Vinci Co-Sports Editor

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 2, men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright announced that he is not a candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers head coach position.

“Out of respect for our Villanova community and our 76ers organization, I feel the need to address speculation about the 76ers head coach position,” Wright said in a statement released on Twitter.

“The 76ers have a great leader in Elton Brand, outstanding young talent, and an incredible opportunity for any coach to compete for a championship. As a lifetime 76ers fan, I have confidence they will bring in the right coach to build on what Brett Brown has developed. I am not a candidate for the job. I am very happy and honored to coach at Villanova.”

When Brett Brown was fired on Aug. 24 following a sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs, speculation quickly turned to Wright as the man to fill the job. Wright has coached the Wildcats to two National Championships and three Final Four appearances in 19 years on the job, going from a hot mid-major coach to AP Coach of the Decade for the 2010s.

Wright has been courted for, or at the very least been linked to,

many jobs while he has been at the University, but only two have caused real speculation for Wright to leave the Main Line.

Following the 2009 Final Four, Wright’s first appearance in the last weekend of college basketball, Kentucky attempted to hire Wright.

Kentucky is obviously a blue blood in the college basketball world, and Wright took his time and considered a departure. Obviously, it didn’t happen as he remained at Villanova.

The other job that causes Villanova fans angst when it comes to Wright is the Sixers. Wright has long expressed that he loves the Northeast, the Big 5 and Philadelphia in general. Going to the 76ers would not only allow him to take a step up to the NBA, but allow him to stay near the home he loves.

Following the 2009 Final Four appearance, Wright was also contacted by the 76ers. Then Sixers President Ed Stefanski, who is a Philadelphia native himself, reached out to Wright to gauge his interest in the job. The two did meet to discuss the job, but Wright ended up declining and releasing a statement, like the one he just released 11 years later.

As a result, whenever a 76ers job opens, speculation turns directly to Wright. Philadelphia is obviously special to Wright, and the city has never had a team as good as the one they have now. The Sixers are a legit playoff team that has real champion-

ship aspirations.

Despite Wright’s self proclaimed love for Philadelphia and the Sixers, a job in the NBA is immensely different from a job in the Big East. As those who closely follow the Head Coach know, Wright has pointed out on numerous occasions that he enjoys the anonymity the Villanova job provides. He has specifically been on the record saying that he enjoys going to the Jersey Shore during the summer with minimal interruptions.

Being the head coach of the local NBA team changes all of that.

Winning two National Championships will get a coach a lot of attention and recognition, but nothing would compare to the pressure and attention he would receive as the Sixers coach, especially considering

Philadelphia is a professional sports town above all else. Radio and television talk shows discuss college basketball, but just spend an hour or two a day watching or listening during a calendar year, and a very large majority of the discussion will be on the professional teams. At most, about 10-20% of their discussions are reserved for college basketball, mostly during March.

Wright confirmed on Wednesday that Villanova is the place he wants to be. Any distractions the basketball team has had to deal with in the days since the firing are removed as they now look forward to a season where they are ranked in the top three in the preseason and have a real shot at Wright’s third national championship and the program’s fourth.

Coach Jay Wright after Villanova’s win against Butler in the Finn Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Golf: The Perfect Sport to Play During Quarantine Zac Tipton Staff Writer

As we all know, when everyone was sent home back in March, all college sports were shut down.

This included the season for the Villanova golf team, which was in the middle of its spring season and was thoroughly enjoying being out

on the course and playing together.

After a successful fall season in 2019, the squad was excited to get back out there for the spring.

The Wildcats were able to play in the Banyan Creek Collegiate Tournament in Palm City, Florida in mid-February. Also, on March 2nd and 3rd, they participated in the Fort Lauderdale Intercollegiate event, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Senior Reb Banas in action last year before the 2020 spring season was cancelled Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

However, the Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate event scheduled to begin on March 22nd in Williamsburg, Va. was cancelled, as was the remainder of their schedule.

The Wildcats also missed out on their home event, the Wildcat Spring Invitational, scheduled for April 6th and 7th, and the Big East Tournament at the conclusion of the season. While this was a bump in the road for the golfers, it didn’t stop the team.

Although the members weren’t able to golf, they were able to focus on their studies. Coach James Wilkes applauded the team saying, “They really focused on school and cracked down on their studies, and we finished with a combined GPA of 3.8 as a team, which I believe is the best for any men’s sport.”

Wilkes was incredibly proud of how the men were able to excel in the classroom when they couldn’t be on the golf course.

The golfers’ individual hard work helped to earn the team a GCAA Team Academic Award, which added to Villanova’s 14 NCAA Public Recognition Awards for academic achievement.

Golf is different from many sports because one can easily social distance while playing. A golfer has the ability to stay 50 feet apart from another ahtlete, much less six feet.

So, most golf courses were able to open early on in quarantine, which means that many of the players

were able to play nearly every day (when they weren’t studying).

Wilkes said that he does know a lot of his players were still finding ways to play competitively over the summer. He said that they all are really serious about the coronavirus and are all trying to do the best they can to make sure students can stay on campus and not have to go home again.

Since the team has been able to start meeting, Wilkes said that he hasn’t been using up all the practice days he can. The team has Zoom meetings and in-person meetings, and it has been starting to get back to normal.

While it hasn’t done much practicing at the course as a team, Wilkes said that a lot of the guys have been going with each other, as roommates or as groups, and just going to the course to play.

He is also excited because he now has the biggest team he’s ever had. The school’s website lists the roster at 11 players, with a good mix of both old and young guys. With freshmen all the way to seniors, Wilkes is really excited to have the depth on the roster.

Wilkes said that Athletic Director Mark Jackson has had good communication with Big East Officials throughout the school year and that at the moment, the spring season is still a go as normal.

However, there will not be a fall season. For now, the team is back on campus practicing, playing and learning.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

SPORTS

The Villanovan | 11

Fall Sports are Cancelled, What About Winter?

Meghann Morhardt Staff Writer

Since the NCAA shocked the sports world by cancelling its biggest event, March Madness, the college sports scene has been very bare. Other winter sports, as well as spring sports, were also cancelled for the 2020 season after students were sent home from universities across the country, due to the coronavirus outbreak. The drought of sports continues to this day, as conferences and the NCAA have also cancelled all fall sports other than FBS football, which started this weekend.

The NCAA, after making the decision to cancel fall sports, announced that all athletes will be granted an extra year of eligibility to make up for their lost 2020 season.

The possibility of holding fall sports championships in the spring of 2021 has also been discussed by the NCAA board.

This spring championship set up would apply to sports such as FCS football, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and men’s water polo, to name a few.

While the NCAA has not explicitly stated what this will look like, one can assume it will involve a shortened season with strong restrictions regarding travel and out-of-conference games.

With fall sports officially off the table, everyone is wondering what the winter season will hold. While the NCAA has not come to a decision about this yet, there have been many

speculations and discussions around some possible ways to safely proceed.

NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball, Dan Gavitt, released a statement regarding basketball and the upcoming season. He says that the boards of both women’s and men’s basketball have “developed and studied contingency plans for alternatives to the scheduled Nov. 10 start date.”

Many expect there to be a delay to the start of the season in hopes that once Thanksgiving break arrives, there will be less students on campus and therefore less exposure to the athletes, making it safer for them to travel and interact with other teams.

Gavitt also stated that the NCAA hopes to “provide direction on whether the season and practices will start on time” in the coming weeks.

There are still many factors that will affect this decision, such as schools switching to fully online instruction, more outbreaks in certain areas and the impact of conditioning workouts that are currently taking place.

Villanova men’s basketball has high hopes entering this year after having a strong 2019-20 season and earning a share of the Big East regular season title. Having all players return, with the exception of Saddiq Bey, the Wildcats are looking at a strong chance of earning their third national title in six years. The players and coaching staff anxiously await a decision from the NCAA and the Big East Conference with hopes of having a safe and successful season.

The sports world has seen a

variety of solutions for playing in this pandemic, but the most successful has proven to be the bubble format that the NBA, WNBA and NHL have implemented. There has been talk of the NCAA using this format for basketball, not necessarily for the whole season, but possibly for preseason games and/or the November tournament cycle.

It will be very interesting to see what this could look like and

where it will take place as the NBA may also be using a bubble format for the 2021 season, set to begin in January. College basketball would most likely not be able to use the same Disney facilities, but there are certainly other locations to consider.

Things are changing everyday with new research and new decisions from university officials, and the next few months are sure to be unpredictable.

Senior student-athelte Jermaine Samuels and teammates preparing for the season Courtesy of @NovaMBB Instagram

Lincoln Financial Field to Become Polling Center Frank Crippen Staff Writer

With topics of social justice in mind, 2020 continues to be an interesting year for professional sports teams, as the intersectionality of the sports world and America’s political sphere persists. Players and organizations continue to voice their sentiments about racial injustice issues, as the public has seen over the past few weeks, starting with the Milwaukee Bucks and several other athletes and organizations after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, WI.

In light of these events, multiple professional sports team owners are offering their stadiums as polling locations for the upcoming presidential election.

The franchises participating in this effort span through the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL. Organizations in Philadelphia are no different.

Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, recently held a media press conference with various outlets, including CBS Sports and MSNBC, relating to the allegations of converting Lincoln Financial Field into a polling place.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a time when we all realized the importance of voting,” Lurie said. “And voting has ramifications, everybody, as we know, and maybe it’s taken some of us too long, myself included, to realize that.”

Lurie made certain that his message was clear — voting is a crucial part of being a part of a democracy and the Philadelphia Eagles want to help.

“We have a very important election coming up on November 3,” Lurie continued. “And one of the things we’ve offered to do is to open up Lincoln Financial Field to be a polling place, if needed.”

The Philadelphia Eagles also tweeted a short video of Lurie to release his statement to the public by quoting Lurie in the caption, “This has been going on for far, far too long and it’s our history.”

This press release was met with a variety of comments, both against his decision and supporting the move. However, Lurie and other franchise owners are continuing to help in any way they can.

Lurie also addressed that all of the Eagle offices will be closed on Election Day and that the organization has encouraged staff members to serve as volunteers in pre-polling in order to help “maximize people’s ease of voting.”

The Philadelphia 76ers ownership group, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, as well as the owner and operator of the Wells Fargo Center, also offered to have the arena serve as a polling place.

The owners of local professional sports teams met with city officials to discuss whether or not their venues could be converted into polling locations. Ultimately, Philadelphia’s Office of City Commissioners declined their offer,

but they are happy to know those locations are available if needed.

“The Eagles and Sixers have reached out, though we have already identified more convenient locations for the voters of those divisions around the Linc and Wells Fargo Center,” Nick Custodio, Chair of Philadelphia City Commission, said in a statement with the Philadelphia Inquirer. “But it is great to know they are available if needed.”

Wells Fargo Center will not be used as a polling center for the 2020 election but will be used for other purposes as the city sees fit. Those other purposes might include local elections if deemed necessary by city officials.

After weeks of civil unrest in America and the sports world, Philadelphia sports teams are showing their support for the city and making a statement that they will use their large platforms for

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