The Villanovan | Volume 114, Issue 2: January 26, 2022

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 26, 2022 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

VOLUME 114 | ISSUE 2

Board Editorial: Campus Safety

As the Spring semester began this month, the lively spirit of community, friendship and comfort that characterizes Villanova culture was abundant as ever on campus. Students feel at home here, translating naturally to a sense of ease and safety on campus and in the surrounding community.

However, several jarring events have taken place just in the first few weeks of the semester. It is clear that our campus community needs a wake-up call: be aware, be conscious of your surroundings and look out for those around you.

As most students— and certainly most Quad residents—know, an unidentified, non-University affiliated man entered Sheehan and Sullivan halls the week before classes began, knocking on doors and talking to residents (many of whom were female students on campus early for Panhellenic sorority recruitment).

The immediate reactions following the fateful intrusion ranged from disturbed to near-hysterical as rumors raged in hall group chats and on YikYak. More than anything, though, students were shocked that such an event could happen on Villanova’s campus.

More events to shake students’ implicit sense of safety have continued to occur since that first week.

From concerning reports of druggings at parties to reports of clowns chasing people outside of a Bryn Mawr 7-Eleven, we must increase awareness of our surroundings.

With examples of threats on and off campus seemingly on the rise, we as students must shift our mindset and awareness. Students need to reexamine their habitual assumption of complete safety and be more alert and careful as a community to ensure the safety of each Continued on p. 7

University Community Members Sign Petition to Waive Booster Mandate

The University has mandated all students get the booster, but some parents disagree with the policy.

Courtesy of Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

Sarah Sweeney Co-News Editor

A group of more than 400 members of the Villanova community, including parents and alumni, have signed a petition urging the University to implement a modification to the COVID-19 Booster Mandate, which would allow three groups of students to be exempted from the mandate.

These three groups of students include students who’ve had the two mandated mRNA vaccines and a natural COVID-19 infection within the span of the last 12-24 months,

students who’ve been vaccinated and had a “breakthrough infection” over Christmas Break and students who can prove robust and protective COVID-19 immunity is present in their bodies through a serological exam.

The petition is in response to the University’s COVID-19 booster requirement, which was announced via email on Jan. 7, and requires all students to submit proof of their booster by Jan. 30.

Meg Kohlhepp, a medical doctor and surgeon and parent of a current senior, explained her initial reaction to the announcement.

“I was angry,” Kohlhepp said. “I think it’s an overreach for a university to be mandating a product that is not FDA approved. There are no peer-reviewed, double-lined studies finding that children in this age group will benefit from the booster. There’s actually a lot of new evidence coming out that says it’s harmful to these children.”

The petition cites safety concerns surrounding the booster shot, citing “rising rate of heart injury to our young people, and particularly young men in the 18-25-year-old age group.” The petition takes issue with what authors

see as a “medically unnecessary third booster shot [that] could prove dangerous and irreparably harmful in such already well immune individuals.”

“There is a huge uptick in cardiac issues,” Kohlhepp explained.

“We’re seeing young healthy people that are coming down with arrhythmias, that are getting atrial fibrillation, that are getting more and more myocarditis.”

Tina Rose, mother of a sophomore and a board-certified nurse practitioner for 35 years, also signed this petition, due to concerns over adverse health effects.

Continued on p. 2

Winona LaDuke Delivers MLK Keynote Chloe Miller

Co-Culture Editor A.J. Fezza

author of seven books, and two-time Vice President candidate with the Green Party, LaDuke brought a unique perspective to her lecture.

Introduced by Rev. Peter M. Donohue O.S.A, Ph.D, LaDuke lives on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota with her extended family

Co-Culture Editor Villanova has hosted a Keynote Speaker to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. day since 2012. This year, Harvard graduate Winona LaDuke came to speak virtually to Villanova students on January 18.

A climate activist, an

Winona LaDuke spoke to Villanova students virtually on Jan. 18.

Courtesy of The Speak Out Now Organization

who partakes in a land-based way of life.

For her tribe, the land of northern Minnesota is not only home, but it is sacred.

This made it all the more important for her to take a stand when the Line 3 oil pipeline system was planned to head straight through the region. Throughout 2020 and 2021, LaDuke led protests against Line 3. The major police presence at the protest sites disturbed LaDuke. She drew a comparison between her Continued on p. 8

Students Pen Petition for Renewable Energy on Campus p. 3

Mask Waste on Campus p. 4

Villanova Continues to Listen to Science p. 5

Climate Change: Six Degrees of Wishful Thinking p. 7

Gamme Phi Beta Comes to Villanova p. 8

Mister Wildcat Comic p. 9

Film Review: Netflix’s Don’t Look Up p. 11

Men’s Basketball Tops DePaul, 67-43 p. 13

Individuals Shine at Villanova Invitational p. 14

Men’s Swim Loses Third Straight p. 15

2 | The Villanovan

News Opinion Culture Sports

1 5 8 13

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 114 | ISS. 2 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

COLIN BEAZLEY VIVI MELKONIAN TINA ARON CATE McCUSKER RACHEL REINIGER SARAH SWEENEY SARAH WISNIEWSKI BELLA IRWIN JACKIE THOMAS A.J. FEZZA ELENA ROUSE CHLOE MILLER MATTHEW RYAN MEGHANN MORHARDT MOLLY BAKER OLIVIA PASQUALE

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

NEWS

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

Disorderly Conduct / Liquor Underage January 21, SULLIVAN HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public acting disorderly and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage January 22, GOOD COUNSEL HALL Three male resident students, under the age of 21, appeared in public and were evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage January 22, ALUMNI HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage January 23, WElSH HALL Multiple students, under the age of 21, were found in possession of alcohol.

Liquor Underage January 23, KATHERINE HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage / Paraphernalia/Posession- Marijuana January 23, SOUTH CAMPUS GROUNDS Two male resident students were in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Another male resident student, under the age of 21, was found to be under the influence of alcohol.

Liquor Underage January 23, KATHARINE HALL A male resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage / Paraphernalia /Posession- Marijuana / Public Drunkenness / Public Urination January 23, ST. MONICA HALL One male resident student, under the age of 21, was found in public urinating and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication. Another male resident student was found in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

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

COVID-19 TRACKER CONFIRMED CUMULATIVE CASES AS OF 6:00 P.M. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

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

1088

221

Cumulative Cases Estimated Active (From 1/5) Cases

12.60K

Total Number of Tests (From 1/5)

637

Residential Students

297

Non-Residential Students

154

Employees

ASK THE VILLANOVAN “What does a man have to do for romance?”

Step 1: go to Trader Joe’s.

Step 2: get that special someone some flowers and truffle burrata.

Step 3: romance.

Make them feel special! Little gestures mean a lot.

“Sunglasses on campus: hot or not?”

NOT! No explanation needed.

Continued from p.1

“There is also a plethora of studies and data linking the vaccines to myocarditis and pericarditis in the younger population,” Rose said. “This is a serious side effect and not worth the risk for anyone. There is no such thing as a ‘mild’ case when it’s related to the heart.”

“Why are they willing to risk our children’s health for a vaccine that does not provide any discernible benefits to this age group?” she questioned.

Kohlhepp also questioned the University’s reasoning in mandating the booster.

“What is the University trying to accomplish?” Kohlhepp asked. “Are they just trying to follow what the Federal Government is saying at this present moment?

What is the reason for the booster?

Because the science isn’t showing that it’s stopping transmission, and it’s not stopping fatality, because there is no fatality in this age group.”

“As a University that has such a strong science and engineering department, they should be the ones that are following the science and asking what the science is,” Kohlhepp said. “Before just following the Federal Government, let’s consider what is the best for our students.”

Many parents raised issue with the fact that the University waited until tuition was due to announce the booster mandate.

“There was no hint the booster would be required last semester,” Kohlhepp said. “The students had no opportunity to

“How do I not hate it here?”

In our humble opinions, sign up for a bunch of organizations and try them out until you find one that fits! Clubs are one of the best ways to get involved and find people with similar interests, often you’ll meet your best friends through common interests instead of just through whoever happens to live near you.

apply to different schools. There’s no online schooling anymore, so students don’t have the option to stay home if they don’t want the booster…you need this booster or you’re not going to get an education, you’re not going to graduate.”

A number of students are in support of the petition.

One of these students is Steve Makino, a sophomore English major, who expressed his belief that “the petition is well-founded in science as it allows for rational exemptions that maximize students’ safety, while also not underscoring the efficacy of the initial vaccine doses.”

After reaching out to the school for a comment, Mary McGonigle, Director of Villanova University Health Center, explained that “As community is

“I’m a freshman who didn’t rush, and now I’m regretting my decision. I feel so left out. What should I do?”

Greek Life isn’t everything!

There are so many ways to get involved on campus and find friends without being involved in a sorority or frat. Of course, we suggest Rush The Villanovan, but seriously, there are over 200 clubs on campus and a place for everyone. Plus, there’s always the option to rush sophomore year!

“Super Bowl predictions?”

The Niners are good in the paint with a solid rebound game.

The Bengals have a solid goalie who will be tough to score on.

The Rams are going to have to keep their laps consistent for the full 800 meters and get lucky with a strikeout or two, but the Chiefs will be hard to beat with their closing speed and their ability to knock all the pins over for a hole in one in order to go all the way.

essential to the Villanova experience, our priority is for students, faculty and staff to have a safe and healthy spring semester on campus. The booster is an important tool that will allow us to remain on-campus and in-person—and to function more normally throughout this semester.

“In making campus health and safety decisions, Villanova’s medical team follows CDC guidance as well as regularly reviewing current research and conferring with state and local departments of health. The CDC, which includes top medical experts in infectious disease, strongly recommends the booster,” McGonigle said.

“Data from the CDC shows that people who are up to date on their vaccine and booster are more fully protected and, if they do contract COVID-19, they will have less severe symptoms and recover

more quickly. Under current CDC guidelines, close contacts who have received the booster do not need to leave campus to quarantine and their educational progress is not impeded.

Those outcomes are what we want for our community members,” McGonigle added.

The Villanova Center for Global and Public Health echoed the University’s support of the booster, stating that “The Center for Global and Public Health is in full support of the University’s Covid 19 booster requirement. Booster vaccinations for Covid 19 provide vital and additional immune system support to avoid severe illness when an individual is exposed to or infected with Covid 19.”

The CDC indicates that “the recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Data from clinical trials showed that booster shots increased the immune response and with an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against getting infected with COVID-19.”

However, supporters of the petition are holding out hope.

“I’m a devout Christian and believe in the power of prayer, so I’m holding out optimism that Fr. Peter and Villanova will do the right thing, look at the data, [and] listen to the experts,” Rose said. “All I can do is continue to pray for all that have already received it, while I urge those who have not, to carefully review their options and the potential consequences of complying as well as not complying.”

The University upholds its decision to mandate the booster.

Courtesy of The Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Facebook

Chiefs 37, Rams 33.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Villanovan | 3

NEWS

University Hosts Annual MLK Freedom School Isabella Balian Staff Writer Every year, Villanova students, staff and faculty participate in service projects, presentations and events during the week of Jan. 17 to commemorate the legacy and wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. The University’s most popular events during the week include the MLK Jr. Freedom School Presentations and the MLK Jr. Day of Service.

The MLK Jr. Day of Service is an event that the University hosts for students of all backgrounds and social identities to come together to improve lives, break social barriers and bring the community together.

For this day of service, Villanova students usually participate in off-campus service events.

Fifteen years ago, several Black Villanova students were inspired to give back to the communities of Philadelphia and started this initiative.

Over the past 15 years, this initiative has grown and now partners with up to 32 community locations in Philadelphia. Events like beautifying a community hall or church or serving food to a community are just some examples of service opportunities that University students participate in for the MLK Jr. Day of Service.

Unfortunately, due to the increased spread of COVID-19’s new variant, the off-campus service

events were unable to take place this year. Despite the barriers, students still participated in the day of service.

This year, students put together blessing bags for the YMCA for people who are experiencing homelessness, as well as Kits for a Cause for families with ill children.

Additionally, this year’s sponsors for Villanova’s MLK Jr. Day of Service were United Healthcare and NJM Insurance Group.

On the University’s MLK Jr. Day of Service website, there are many organizations linked for opportunities to donate and offer service. Some organizations providing ongoing support include SHARE Food program, Cradles to Crayons, Food Moxie and Tree House Books.

In addition to the MLK Jr. Day of Service, students participate in the Freedom School event, which is an opportunity for University students, staff and faculty to participate in lectures, presentations and seminars advocating for social justice. Usually, the MLK Freedom School presentations occur in person, but they were virtual this year through Zoom. To start the presentations, the University hosts a keynote speaker to speak on a social justice topic. Past year keynote speakers included Sonia Sanchez, Chaka Fattah, Cornel West, Patricia Williams, Melissa Harris-Lacewell and Timothy Tyson.

This year, Winona LaDuke, Harvard-educated American environmental activist and writer,

spoke about sacred relationships with the land, justice and redemption. LaDuke advocates for climate justice, renewable energy, environmental justice and for protecting Indigineous plants and heritage foods from patenting and genetic engineering.

The student and staff-led Freedom School sessions cover many social justice issues such as allyship, movement organizing, environmental justice, antiracism, health equity, peacebuilding and nonviolence and animal welfare.

This year’s presentations included topics such as fair trade and ethical purchasing, prison gerrymandering, the humanitarian crisis in Armenia, action nonviolence training and settler colonialism.

Senior Isabel Hagobian reflected on her experience pre-

senting for the Freedom School initiative.

“I was given the amazing opportunity to present for the MLK Jr. Freedom School, which permits students to interactively learn about different social issues,” Hagobian said. “Talking about social justice gives people the chance to talk about real world problems. This opportunity also gives us the chance to learn about past and current social justice issues while empowering ourselves and others to act.”

Dr. King visited Villanova on Jan. 20, 1965 and delivered a speech regarding civil rights and desegregation in the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. King holds a lifelong legacy that inspires students to break down barriers based on background and social identity, and these events at the University aim to carry on his legacy.

The University commemorates MLK with the annual Freedom School celebration.

Courtesy of Villanova University

Students Pen Petition for Renewable Energy on Campus Katie Reed Staff Writer Three months ago, sophomore Environmental Science major Michelle Moczulski, along with Patrick Carney, started a petition to get the University to transition to 100% renewable energy.

Both are co-chairs of the Student Sustainability Committee and they work with the University’s Sustainability Manager, Liesel Schwarz.

The Student Sustainability Committee is organized into four groups that all handle different aspects of sustainability at the University, which are food, waste, water and energy and outreach.

Moczulski is a part of the food group, and some of the initiatives it has undertaken include meeting with dining services to promote more vegetarian and vegan options, buying from local sources and engaging in composting.

For Moczulski, her passion for sustainability was cultivated in high school where she learned a lot about the perils of climate change and the natural world. She noted being devastated by what she had learned, and she later researched ways that she could be more eco-friendly and sustainable in her personal life, leading her to make changes such as becoming vegan.

Though the University

is currently operating with 50% renewable energy, Moczulski notes that there are many schools across the nation that are operating at 100%. Specifically, she mentioned Bryn Mawr College and Georgetown University, both of which are potential Villanova competitors, with one being right next door.

“It’s not anything out of reach,” Moczulski said. “We already get 50%, so why not get the 100%?” asks Moczulski. “Villanova’s slogan is ‘Ignite Change,’ and taking this step would be igniting change. We all know that climate change is a very important problem, and if not addressed, it will have significant consequences.”

Moczulski also talked about how sustainability efforts were attractive to her when she was looking at colleges to attend. Taking steps to move to 100% renewable energy and increase those efforts can help make the University more appealing to prospective students and their families, especially if they were advertised in the tours given by Blue Key Society.

“Taking this step can be so powerful, and it could attract people to the school,” Moczulski said.

“It might not be a deciding factor, but it’s the little things that make it count.”

Though the University has made improvements in sustainability, there are still places where it falls short. Given that it is a Catholic university and that Pope Francis has recognized climate

change as the impending crisis and threat that it is, the University has a responsibility to uphold those values.

“Villanova has investments in fossil fuel companies, Moczulski said. “Another step they should take is to divest from that. It’s terrible, they’re giving money to people that are polluting the earth.

Renewable energy is on the rise, so it’s worth investing in.”

Moczulski added that in addition to administrative or institutional change, individual community members can make changes to their own lives to live more sustainably.

“We think that climate change is corporation fault or industry fault, and it is, but there are a lot of things individuals can do,” Moczulski said. “Change one thing in your life that can make you more sustainable, like bringing your own bag to the store. It’s easy, and it doesn’t take a lot of money.”

Other actions that students can take to be more eco-friendly on campus are buying the reusable utensil kits found in the convenience stores, trying to eat less meat and, most importantly, signing and sharing the petition to urge the University to move to 100% renewable energy.

Moczulski also encouraged all Villanovans to sign up for the monthly sustainability newsletter, which provides a variety of information to students regarding sus-

tainability events on campus, jobs and internships and opportunities to volunteer at the garden.

Examples of events put on by the Student Sustainability Committee include the Wildcat Thrift, climate anxiety listening circles and events for Earth Week.

Ultimately, the issues of climate change and sustainable practices on campus are ones that are pressing and have implications that Moczulski demonstrated cannot be ignored.

“The students here are the future, since climate change is going to be impacting our generation and the ones after us the most,” Moczulski said. “It’s [the University’s] responsibility as role models and educators to show us that they care about our future, not only professionally and academically, but also to live the best life we can, without having to do things like move from the coast to a landlocked area because our home will be flooded.”

Advisor to the Student Sustainability Committe, Liesel Schwarz emphasizes Moczulski’s points.

“It is important that we, the University, and society as a whole, transition more of our energy sources to renewables,” Schwarz said. “This cannot be done overnight for all energy demands, but for electricity there is a growing market of options that the University is exploring.”

4 | The Villanovan

Bandana Project Update Sophia Pedro Staff Writer Have you ever wondered why so many students have neon green bandanas on their backpacks?

The bandana signifies someone who is an advocate and resource for mental health and has taken the Bandana Project pledge.

The Bandana Project is a mental health awareness and suicide prevention campaign that is a prominent resource at more than 40 colleges and universities around the country.

Villanova’s chapter of The Bandana Project was brought to campus last year by juniors Dayna Deakin, Anna Darling and Hannah Starner, and officially became a student organization in Nov. 2021. The Bandana Project had several successful bandana distributions, gaining the support and membership of more than 1,300 University students.

“In order to grow our impact on campus we went through the process of becoming a student organization through the Office of Student Involvement, which included creating a mission statement, proposal, constitution and bylaws,” said Deakin, the chapter president.

With its new status as an official organization, it has been able to expand its administrative positions and create an executive board to assist in growing the organization and its impact on campus.

Along with the five new executive

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

NEWS

board positions, it has also created a number of skill-focused groups for event planning, awareness and community building, so more students are able to be involved in making the changes it has been wanting to see.

“A major focus for this semester and upcoming semesters is growing peer support on campus and making sure students have a safe space to talk about mental health,” Deakin added.

With the help of the new executive board and skill-focused groups, hosting events and speakers on campus that are more visual and collaborating with other clubs and organizations will be easier and more efficient. Executive members are particularly interested and hopeful to collaborate with multicultural organizations on campus to highlight the different ways people of various backgrounds struggle with mental health. This is one of the things Deakin is most excited for this semester.

In the wake of the pandemic, an emphasis on mental health resources and its de-stigmatization is necessary and being called for, which is exactly the mission of The Bandana Project.

When asked what she believes the future of this organization Deakin was optimsitc.

“In a short amount of time we can work to create a community of support for those struggling and allow everyone to feel comfortable seeking help,” Deakin said.

Mask Waste on Campus Lydia McFarlane Staff Writer Amid the public health crisis that is the coronavirus pandemic come issues of sustainability and environmental consciousness. Mask litter has become a nationwide problem, reaching even to our own University. This waste has a negative impact, like most pollution, on the environment and wildlife.

As the University navigates particularly high numbers of coronavirus cases as a result of the Omicron variant in the first few weeks of this spring semester, the emphasis on masking has increased, but consequently so has the mask litter.

Shawn Proctor, a Communication and Marketing program manager at the University’s Falvey Memorial Library, decided to take matters into his own hands and contact the sustainability office on campus. A representative of the office responded by saying that although masks are difficult to recycle, it had found a company that handles them responsibly. The office told Proctor that it would be willing to fund a recycling solution as long as he was willing to collect the masks.

As of Jan. 13, Proctor has collected 729 disposable masks, and 65 reusable ones. These numbers are staggering, and he intends to bring awareness to students and faculty alike across campus to put a

stop to this waste.

“It is my hope that bringing awareness to students could help them be more mindful of their own impact,” Proctor said.

Proctor called the University community to action, urging every member to take responsibility for their own mask and dispose of them properly.

As long as people stay mindful, the community can collectively put a stop to the mask waste.

Proctor compared the way we should keep track of masks to avoid waste to the way we already do keep track of our phones. If someone left their phone behind, they would go back for it. Make sure to keep this same attitude when it comes to disposable, and even in some cases reusable, masks.

Clean up after oneself so to make a cleaner, more environmentally conscious and more sustainable community on campus.

“Villanova can be a model for how sustainability can succeed beyond campus,” Procter said at the end of his post.

“And working together to make small changes, just as we have to ensure campus environmental health and safety, we can model how to make a big difference in our world.”

In the words of University President Rev. Father Peter M. Donahue, O.S.A., Ph.D., “V’s up and masks on.”

Students are encoruaged to be mindful where the masks are going after using them.

Dr. Mark Levand Speaks at “Ask a Sex-pert” Event Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor The Office of Health Promotion hosted their second “Ask a Sex-pert” conversation with Dr. Mark Levand. The event took place over Zoom on Jan. 20.

Levand is a sexuality educator, researcher and consultant who speaks with schools, businesses and individuals to address a diverse range of topics within sexuality.

His work focuses on the belief that sexuality is an essential aspect of human experience.

He personally believes that every individual deserves a safe space for discussion to learn about sexuality.

Levand does not only study sexuality but has been formally trained in Catholic theology as well. This allows him to also address questions about the relationship between sexuality and a person’s faith.

In addition to his work in universities, Levand conducts research around the justice issues including the issue of consent, sexual behaviors, sexual fantasy, trauma and sexuality education.

Stacy Andes, MA, EdD, the Director of Health Promotion, began the conversation by introducing Levand and his background.

Andes also spoke about the expectations of participants. The conversation was meant to be a safe space. Therefore, students were reminded to turn their cameras

off, change their names on Zoom and do whatever was necessary to remain comfortable.

Students were informed that the first part of the discussion would be recorded in order to be used in further training. In the first part, Levand conducted a presentation to educate participants about the various aspects of sexuality. Levand again reminded students to self-reflect on their level of comfort during the discussion.

“Sitting in discomfort can work to learn but sitting in too much discomfort may also not be best for learning sometimes,” Levand said.

The presentation included the definition of sexuality, which involves the five circles. These include sensuality, sexualization, sexual and reproductive health, sexual identity and intimacy.

Levand explained all five in detail and emphasized the complexity of each. He broke stereotypes about each and explained the details of each that many people are unaware of.

For example, when speaking about intimacy Levand said the immediate thought is sex.

However, intimacy has different levels. “Skin hunger,” for example, the desire to be touched by someone else is also a part of intimacy.

Levand explained that undstanding these different levels in each circle can improve an individual’s relationships.

Following the presentation,

the Q&A section began.

The event offered a space for students to anonymously submit questions pertaining to any issue about sexuality. Students submitted their questions prior to the event which allowed Levand to prepare a complete and thorough answer for participants.

Students were also able to ask a question in the Q&A part of the discussion. Anonymity continued to be emphasized. Therefore, students submitted their question through the chat box in Zoom and then Levand answered on the spot.

Questions covered a variety of topics. One individual asked how they can be more confident with their partner while another asked how to initiate the discussion of intimacy.

Other questions asked specifics of safe sex methods or the relationship between religion and

sexuality.

A junior student who attended was impressed by the webinar.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see the flyer for the event in my email,” the female student said. “I think often at a Catholic university, students are nervous to ask questions about sexuality, but it is so important to be properly educated. As a woman I feel like speaking about sexuality can feel shameful, but after the event I feel more confident and know I’m not alone in my curiosities.”

Levand will return to the University for another event on Thursday, March 10. The title of the event is “The Science of Attraction,” and will be conducted on Zoom.

The event is again being hosted by the Office of Health Promotion and Office of Intercultural Affairs Title IX.

Dr. Mark Levand will host another event.

Courtesy of The Office of Health Promotion, Villanova University

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Villanovan | 5

OPINION

OPINION

Villanova Students Tailgate At Wells Fargo Center Regan McEnroe Staff Writer Events worth withstanding freezing temperatures for include, but are not limited to, the Super Bowl, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New Year’s Eve in Time Square and, of course, Villanova men’s basketball.

On Sunday, Jan. 16, hundreds of loyal Villanova Basketball fans gathered outside Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center for the first time since 2020 to support their beloved Wildcats.

But, with a goal of viewing college basketball, why do people feel the need to stand out in the cold for hours before the game?

The answer is Tailgate Culture, known in the United States as gatherings of people in parking lots of stadiums and arenas consuming alcoholic beverages. So, is tailgating really just an excuse to get belligerent with friends? To concisely answer that question, no.

Tailgating is an American tradition. It is a time meant to gather fans together to support their favorite sports teams.

Unlike many other aspects of our lives these days, tailgating is one thing where people of differing beliefs and backgrounds can find common ground. It brings people together creating a community of people instilled with hope, tradition and camaraderie.

Tailgating allows people to gather and grow in excitement

Villanova students gather outside Philadelphia’s Well Fargo Center.

Courtesy of Jackie Thomas

together before a game, without it the enthusiasm and intensity that fans bring to a stadium would simply not be the same.

But, is tailgating an exclusively American phenomenon?

Historically speaking, a study performed by anthropologist John Sherry at the University of Notre Dame found that tailgating and parking lot parties date back to ancient Rome and Greece, to picnics taking place on the battlefields during the Civil War, and to campouts during the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Thus, tailgating has long been used as a way to create a sense of community.

But should colleges and universities allow underage students to gather in large groups where, inevitably, drinking will be involved?

Well, Villanova University actually updated its tailgating policy, allowing festivities to begin three hours prior to tip off rather than the standard two.

Perhaps this change denotes a shift in the unrealistic and outdated policies regarding underage drinking.

Maybe tailgating is the gateway to

resolving a deeper, nationwide issue: the legal drinking age.

With so many privileges granted at the age of 18, why shouldn’t drinking be included alongside the ability to vote, enlist in the military, serve on a jury, the list goes on. Realistically speaking, drinking is a part of all tailgate events at colleges and otherwise, and Villanova’s policy allows students to do it responsibly.

With transportation provided to and from the stadium and plenty of time allowed for proper consumption of any alcohol one chooses to drink, the University seems to be doing its part to allow its students to enjoy their experience at the game while also being safe.

Villanova’s fans are like no other: supporting their team in below freezing temperatures.

With extended time for tailgates and proper transportation, fans can now maximize their tailgating experience. Villanova’s approach to tailgating, though, should not be taken advantage of, but something to appreciate and utilize correctly.

Tailgate culture is important, adding to levels of excitement all fans have while waiting to see their peers inside the Wells Fargo Center.

Villanova students can set the example for safe and responsible alcohol consumption. If we’re going to stand out in the freezing cold for hours on end, we might as well get as much enjoyment out of it as possible, right?

Villanova Continues to Listen to Science Zoë Kim Staff Writer Villanova needs to continue to listen to science. For the spring 2022 semester, the University asked its students to receive a third Covid-19 shot, a booster, no later than Jan. 31.

If we don’t abide by the University’s mandate, we as a school are at risk of getting sick, going online, and continuing the spread of Covid-19. This past semester has been the first taste of college for so many students, why ruin it?

The University is partnering with Rite Aid to hold its own booster clinic in Dougherty Hall, where students can receive their boosters on-campus over the next few weeks.

The clinic will offer all three of the vaccines to its students: Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Once vaccinated, students should show proof of their boosters through Villanova’s portal.

There are also local sites in Wayne, Rosemont, Bryn Mawr and Ardmore where students can receive their boosters through appointments or walk-ins. With such easy access to obtaining a booster, why not get it? This one shot will not only protect yourself, but also potentially hundreds of people.

Villanova’s request for students to receive a booster comes by no surprise. Before the fall 2021

Villanova followed the science and mandated a third booster shot for students.

Courtesy of Villanova University

semester, Villanova encouraged its students to receive the first and second doses of their vaccines.

It was successful, with more than 90% of Villanova students having both doses of the vaccine before coming back. There is no doubt we, as students, will rise to the occasion and receive our boosters, and hoping to facilitate an in person, normal learning environment for the rest of the school year.

Within the first week of returning to campus for the spring semester, Villanova had more than 500 students test positive. In response, the school gave professors the chance to go virtual for the first two weeks of the spring semester with the goal of mitigating such high numbers. The booster requirement will hopefully also play a role in slowing the spread of the virus on campus.

Though the boosters will slow the spread, they are not bullet-

proof. Those who receive all three vaccines are 56% less likely to be infected with the Omicron strain than are those who only received two vaccines, according to the CDC. This could greatly reduce the spread of omicron with the help of mask-wearing and social distancing.

Public health officials are urging schools to continue acting cautiously. Gerri Smith Taylor, cochair of the COVID-19 task force for the American College Health Association, said that, “You’ll hear that people are tired of the restrictions and regulations, and it is concerning for me.”

She and thousands of officials are voicing the need for boosters for students.

Villanova is not the only university asking its students to get their boosters. Universities across the country are asking their stu-

dents to be boosted for the spring, such as Harvard, Stanford and the University of Michigan.

All of these schools began their semesters online, but there is debate surrounding the ethics of asking students for boosters.

Rutgers University is not asking its students to get boosters, though it was one of the first universities fighting for vaccines in the fall. Sixteen states have already passed bans for public universities and schools that are demanding boosters from students, but many of these bans do not affect private universities and schools such as Villanova.

We are vulnerable to a large outbreak. With 69% of our students living in on-campus residences, hundreds of students can pass Omicron without knowing it. For the most part, Villanova students understand the need for boosters.

Many of us already received our boosters before returning in the spring.

I appreciate Villanova for taking active measures to continue to take precautions against Covid.

More universities need to listen to science and try their best to further vaccinate their campus.

Still, it’s hard to continuously fight against a virus that doesn’t look like it will ever go away. As a community, we need to try our very best to slow the spread, whether that be by wearing our masks in public or receiving our boosters.

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

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

COLIN BEAZLEY Editor-in-Chief VIVI MELKONIAN TINA ARON BELLA IRWIN JACKIE THOMAS

POLICY

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

Mouse in the House: Quad Living Conditions Joe Adams Staff Writer There are so many things to be excited about now that we are back on campus. Basketball games, hanging out with friends and social club events are all things that I missed over winter break. However, there is one particular thing that is always hard to adjust to when I return: the living conditions.

I live in Sheehan Hall. Sure, living in the Quad has its positive aspects: the great location as well as living with other sophomores has been awesome so far. However, the tiny room that my roommate and I share along with persistent mold and cleanliness issues can be frustrating.

Last week, this all came to a head. As I sat on my bed waiting for another Zoom class to begin, I noticed out of the corner of my eye a small, dark object moving across the floor near my door. I looked up from my phone and saw nothing, so I assumed it was a shadow or just my imagination. Then, seconds later, I saw a mouse come out from under my dresser.

I decided to call to have a service request, and unfortunately nobody came to check on the issue until more than 24 hours later.

I was told in an email by the Assistant Director for Housing Operations, Joseph Hohman, that I would get a new door sweep installed, the perimeter of the building would be inspected, any holes found would be sealed and traps

The Quad (Sullivan and Sheehan Halls) houses much of the sophomore population.

Courtesy of Villanova University

would be placed around the room.

Sadly, only one of those four things came true– I now have mouse traps all over my dorm room floor.

I was told by the exterminator who came that he would be back to install the door sweep, but it has been almost two weeks and this has not happened. No holes were searched for, and I feel that not enough has been done to solve this problem.

Four days after the exterminator put down traps, I received an email saying that my work order had been completed. Clearly, this

was not the case, and nothing has been done since. No mouse has been caught; at this point, my roommate and I are just waiting for it to reappear one day.

Not only was my problem with the mouse not solved, but I continue to see Sheehan in bad shape daily. Whether it’s taking a shower with a moldy shower curtain at my feet, broken toilets that never are clean or bugs crawling up and down my dorm room walls, the bad conditions seem to be endless.

The University media spokesman Jon Gust addressed the

situation.

“As you know, many industries across the country have been impacted by staffing issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gust.

“The Facilities Management Office’s custodial team has recently been impacted by staffing shortages due to the pandemic and regrets any delays in service this may have caused. Presently, the Facilities Management team is almost back to full staff capacity in these residence halls and the buildings have been toured to make sure any issues have been resolved. We take student concerns seriously and encourage anyone with an issue to fill out a work order, so that it can be quickly addressed.”

It is bad enough for current students to complain and have to deal with the common cleanliness issues of Sheehan Hall, but one must also consider how this looks to prospective students.

Last semester, while filling my water bottle one morning, I overheard a mother say to her daughter, “With a school as wellknown as Villanova, wouldn’t you think they would keep the bathrooms clean?” This can have serious consequences for Villanova’s reputation.

I had hoped that these problems, which had been verbalized by countless students, would be addressed by Villanova. Clearly, they have not been, and in fact, seem to have gotten worse. This is unacceptable and shocking to see, and these issues must be taken seriously.

Part-time Criminology Teachers Leave Department Loghan Hirkey Staff Writer Being a few weeks into the spring semester already seems unbelievable. With new classes, new friends, warmer weather on its way and graduation looming, it feels like a “honeymoon period” at Villanova. Well, not for everyone.

For example, the Criminology Department faced some problems at the start of the semester after two part-time Criminology professors abruptly quit. This sudden change in the department led to many classes having to be combined. This would not be too much of an issue, if not for this particular University.

One of the appeals of Villanova is the small class sizes to develop a more personalized connection with professors, as well as more engaging discussions and participation. Unfortunately, with classes having to be combined,

many sections of Criminology courses are facing overcrowded classes.

Despite all the chaos, there seems to be hope for the department. The Villanovan spoke to Thomas Arvanites, chair of the Sociology and Criminology departments, to gain more insight on the two part-time professors quitting, as well as how the future of the department looked.

“The two resignations were from two visiting professors,” Arvanites said. “The Department hired two professors for Fall 2021 for a one-year, non-tenure track teaching position at the rank of Visiting Assistant Teaching professor. One resigned prior to the start of the semester due to COVID concerns. The second professor secured a permanent full-time position elsewhere and resigned prior to the start of this semester.”

The department may be in disarray right now, but Villanova

has been preparing for this transition between part-time professors and a long-term one.

“The loss of two temporary positions will not have any longterm impact on the program,” Arvanites said.

“I am pleased to tell you that we had a successful job search last semester. A new full-time tenure-track Criminology professor will be joining us in August. With this addition, we will have more full-time tenure-track professors dedicated to the Criminology program than at any other time in the program’s history.”

It seems that in the fall of 2022, the Criminology department will be staffed better than ever.

Although the words from Arvanites seem promising, and a more concrete plan is prepared for next school year, it makes me wonder if it could have been handled in a more efficient manner.

What about all of the

students who have to deal with the two part-time professors’ absence in terms of overpopulated classes?

If the departments notified students about professors’ resignations at the beginning of the semester, shouldn’t it have notified those who were signed up for the courses this semester that classes would be a little different than normal?

It is unfortunate that the original plan did not pan out.

Although the professors’ contracts were for the entirety of the year, legitimate reasons ruined the plan and provided problems for not only the University, but also for the students in Criminology courses.

Regardless of the problems this semester, the Criminology department will not only be back on track next year but also more appropriately staffed than it has ever been. If one has ever been interested in taking a Criminology class, next semester will be the time to act on it.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Villanovan | 7

OPINION

Letter From the Editors: Keep Your Wits About You

continued from p. 1 individual on campus.

The air of complacency that many students feel is no real surprise, for a number of reasons.

Villanova is nestled in a quiet, affluent area where crime rates are relatively low and the community is largely insulated from external threats.

Crime on campus is especially rare, with most activity on the crime blotter limited to typical college malfeasance—public intoxication, underage drinking and the occasional instance of public indecency.

On top of the area’s general atmosphere, the presence of Public Safety, Campus Police and the surrounding township police departments alongside the school’s blue light safety system reaffirm the perhaps overly-secure feeling amongst the student body.

As a result of these factors, Villanova, including its institutions, buildings, employees and students, typically feels like a safe haven, fostering a close, trusting campus community. Whether hanging out in a dorm room, heading to class or going out at night, security is often low on the

Villanova students should remain aware and cautious on and off campus.

Courtesy of Villanova University

The University makes many resources available to increase campus safety.

Courtesy of Villanova University

list of student concerns.

There are many solutions provided by the University to increase safety and the feeling of comfortability on campus. Public Safety’s “NovaSafe” App allows students to submit anonymous tips, provide a FriendWatch feature and update the shuttle’s location in real time.

There is even the option for a security escort, which is especially helpful when having to cross campus late at night. Public Safety picks students up at their relative location and can provide transportation to different parts of campus, which decreases the

risk of walking alone at night. We encourage students to take advantage of these free resources to help increase safety and wellbeing on campus.

Importantly, the need for more alertness does not mean reducing the unique closeness of our community culture or living in fear. In fact, it requires perhaps more unity, in a new context.

Consciously taking on new safety measures and looking out for each other is an extension of the values of Villanova, and the classic “Villanova nice,” if you will. Keep your wits about you, Wildcats.

Climate Change: Six Degrees of Wishful Thinking John Angelella Staff Writer Climate change, gun control and social inequality are macro scale topics we hear a lot about.

However, it seems our concern for them is as fleeting as our liking for the newest hit song. It tops the charts, we listen to it on repeat for a few weeks, then it fades into the depths of our playlist as we latch onto the succeeding song. Climate change is no different.

Our concern for the forest fires in Australia or California is often less than or equal to the time it appears in the news cycle.

Further, are the slew of Instagram story reposts out of genuine concern or merely an attempt to appear cultured and aware?

These problems are troubling to scientists and economists alike, making possible solutions the subject of intense debate. I will argue that individuals will continue to neglect the issue until it directly interferes with their own well-being.

My argument will be based on the science of human behavior through evolution and will conclude with a critique of currently posed solutions.

In “The Theory of Moral Sentiments,” Adam Smith, speaking on man’s reaction to all of China being swallowed by an earthquake, says, “If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he

will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own.”

In other words, we care more about an injury to our finger than for the death of a hundred million people we’ve never met or seen. Let’s trace this line of logic to what I am loosely calling the “encroaching dilemma.”

Imagine a prominent issue such as a forest fire spreading. You are first notified that a neighboring country is being plagued by such fires. Next, you hear that a state within your country is feeling the effects of the fires. Then, it comes to your attention that a neighboring city has been nearly destroyed as a result. And so the dilemma is born.

At exactly which point do individuals sense enough danger to begin taking preventative actions? I am not sure a perfect answer exists, but my intuition is that the answer lies uncomfortably closer to Smith’s than the wishful thinking popularized by the media.

How could humans be so selfish as to only concern themselves with climate change when it begins to directly interfere with their own lives? I believe evolution has something to contribute here.

At no point in history has our species preoccupied itself with issues outside of our immediate environment.

Many hope for heightened global concern towards climate change.

Courtesy of claimingourspace.org

We are, in no way, encoded to care about, “that over there” when there exists a myriad of problems “right here.” It is not until the “there” becomes the “here” that the organism begins to adapt its behavior.

It is unpleasant to accept the reality that humans, generally, are selfish animals in pursuit of resources and reproduction.

Further, it is discouraging to think that this pursuit persists even when faced with a threat to the future of humanity. With time, I am hopeful that our evolutionary nearsightedness can morph into the type of forward-thinking required for progress.

However, individuals are going to have to experience some disruption to catalyze change. This disruption will not likely come in the form of a celebrity or predictive documentary. I am optimistic that improvements can be made through production of recyclable products and safer emissions. In the case of industry, government regulations may be the only antidote to corporate greed.

Widespread progress will not occur until humanity develops a sense of immediacy around the threat of climate change. It remains up for question whether this sense can be artificially induced by means of activism or media.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

CULTURE

8 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

MLK Keynote Lecture Hosted by Winona LaDuke A.J. Fezza Co-Culture Editor Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor Continued from pg. 1 protest experiences and those of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The Deep North is like the Deep South, except the victims are brown people instead of black people,” LaDuke said.

LaDuke refers to herself as a water protector. For the past eight years, she has been fighting Enbridge, a natural gas distribution company located in Canada. With the building of the Line 3 oil pipeline system and the increasing amount of pipelines destroying the earth, LaDuke emphasized that we are in the time of the seventh fire.

In indigenous cultures, if the people choose the correct path, the fire will lead to eternal peace. LaDuke encourages Americans to take the correct path.

Last July, LaDuke’s trespassing on the construction site earned her three days in jail. Once again, LaDuke connected herself to Dr. King. LaDuke

told the audience that, while much shorter in duration, her time in jail reminded her of the imprisonment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Like them, she vowed to not be discouraged by her time in jail, but to be further motivated by it.

The Line 3 oil pipeline system is far from the only system constructed in the United States and Canada over the past few years that has the potential to contaminate the water supply. Back in 2016, massive protests accompanied the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Of course, LaDuke was there as well.

LaDuke’s involvement in environmental protection extends far beyond simply protesting. During the lecture, LaDuke told the audience about The Sitting Bull Plan. Named after the political leader Sitting Bull who died at the Battle of Little Bighorn, the goal of the plan is to help society transition into a post-fossil fuel economy.

“We grow our food, we harvest our food, we take care of our land so we can eat,” LaDuke said.

On the White Earth Reservation, LaDuke and her family grow hemp, potatoes, squash, and more to feed and nourish themselves. Encouraging a land-based lifestyle, LaDuke

discussed her business, Winona’s Hemp and Heritage Farm. She explained in depth the uses of not only growing one’s own food but also the unknown practicality of hemp. With hemp, LaDuke produces paper, forest-related products, wood and textiles. The usage of hemp allows her family to live off the land while also using non-toxic products.

Additionally, LaDuke emphasized the importance of going solar during her talk on the Sitting Bull Plan.

Using the Navajo Nation’s turn to solar power as an inspiration, she argued that the use of solar power is again beneficial as it uses our given land.

“Instead of reaffirming the rights of corporations… we are reaffirming the respect and love for mother earth,” LaDuke stated.

Concluding, LaDuke mentioned her non-profit organization Honor the Earth, which helps raise awareness about the Indigenous struggle for environmental justice. Honor the Earth uses indigenous art, music, media and wisdom to inspire positive change for indigenous culture. The organization has been in business for over 20 years and has given back over two million dollars to indigenous communities.

Tim Horner with Villanova’s Center for Peace and Justice was then introduced to moderate participant questions.

During the question and answer period, LaDuke reiterated that to make a positive environmental change, the rights of the earth must always be valued over corporations, states, or municipalities.

LaDuke encouraged students to become active in fighting for environmental and social causes, as she gave advice to the next generation.

“There’s no social change fairy,” LaDuke said. “Social change is made by people like us.”

Among the various questions asked by students, LaDuke discussed her direct experiences as a social activist, including the petitions that were made surrounding her arrest last July.

Just shy of 300 participants, LaDuke motivated and energized students and faculty to understand issues pertaining to the environment and to then act on those issues for the good of mother earth.

LaDuke closed the lecture with hope.

“With good prayer and good minds, we can make good decisions,” LaDuke said.

Gamma Phi Beta Comes to Villanova Emma Cahill Staff Writer In February 2022, Gamma Phi Beta will be joining Villanova as the newest sorority chapter on campus.

Founded in 1874 at Syracuse University, Gamma Phi Beta dedicates itself to lifting up women and maintaining a strong sisterhood within their chapter. Gamma Phi Beta is built upon four principles of Love, Labor, Learning and Loyalty. Gamma Phis learn to grow as individuals and as a sisterhood by embodying these principles.

Gamma Phi Beta is very passionate about its philanthropy, Building Strong Girls. The chapter aims to instill confidence in young girls with its philanthropic partner, Girls on the Run. In this program, the women of Gamma Phi Beta coach girls to run a 5k, teaching them not only the benefits of physical health, but also how athleticism can empower women.

The new chapter is looking forward to bringing its sisterhood and philanthropic mission to Villanova’s campus. As it begins recruitment, Gamma Phi Beta is looking for women with leadership capabilities who can pioneer a new sorority. Gamma Phi representatives are also looking for women who embody the “four L’s” of the sorority.

Gamma Phi Beta has a multi-step recruitment process to form its sisterhood. First, Gamma Phi representatives on campus began what they refer to as their “PR Blitz.” Any table on campus decorated with pink and brown is most likely one of the Gamma Phi Beta “PR Blitzes” since those are the official Gamma Phi colors.

This spring, Gamma Phi Beta is starting their chapter at Villanova.

Courtesy of Gamma Phi Beta/Facebook

To increase traction with the new chapter, it had a table in the Connelly Center, hosted information sessions on Jan. 13, 18 and 24 and posted information about joining on its Instagram account.

Next, Gamma Phi representatives hosted a philanthropy event in the Villanova Room on Wednesday, Jan. 19. The purpose of this event was to delve more into what Gamma Phi Beta’s philanthropy entails. Since Gamma Phi women are so passionate about their philanthropy, they wanted to speak more in-depth about how they interact with their service.

Following these events,

Gamma Phi Beta will be hosting personal appointments for potential new members. In these personal appointments, potential new members will talk to two alumni.

These meetings provide an opportunity to get to know Gamma Phis on a personal level and to ask any questions they may have about the chapter.

Finally, the recruitment process finishes off with their Preference Day on Jan. 29. This invitation-only event is where potential new members finish the last day of formal recruitment and ultimately determine if they are joining this chapter. Later that day is Gamma Phi Beta’s Bid Day, during which

the charter members officially join the chapter.

Upon its official establishment as a sorority, the international Gamma Phi Beta organization will bolster the new chapter with support. The organization will provide multiple figures on campus for the charter members to rely on.

One example of this is the collegiate leadership consultants (CLC) on campus. These resident CLC women hosting the info sessions will remain on campus to get the chapter rolling. Ultimately, Gamma Phi Beta wants the women in the chapter to form new traditions and create their legacy, but these figures are there to provide help and guidance needed along the way.

One aspect of being a charter member of this sorority is the opportunity to attend valuable leadership summits. In February 2022, following the chapter’s establishment, the women of Gamma Phi Beta at Villanova will participate in multiple conferences. One conference the chapter will attend is the “Weekend Away Leadership Conference.” This event is meant to mold the charter members into leaders and to meet Gamma Phis from other universities in Pennsylvania. Additionally, there will be a “Belonging, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (otherwise known as “BDEI”) summit to help bring awareness to various social injustices and inequities.

As Gamma Phi Beta finishes up its recruitment process, it will be officially established, creating a new legacy on the Villanova campus. In all, things are looking exciting for this new sorority on campus, and it will be interesting to see what is in store for it in the future.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 9

Student-Athlete and Nursing Student Interview free time. A choice I have made for my own success is to prioritize my sleep and my time to study because that is how I know I will The University’s nursing best succeed. Although it can program is ranked 48th nationally be difficult, it is something I am and third in the state of Pennvery passionate about and have sylvania. The rigorous program put first while being at Villanova Villanova offers has a 98.8 percent and learned to put in work rather success rate of undergraduate than skimming notes or reading placement, giving the school its over my textbook. Nursing is not a spot in the top four percent of unmajor that you can just get by in. dergraduate nursing programs in You put in what you are going to the country. With 102 PhD gradget out of it to become successful. uates since 2008 and an average I used to think textbooks weren’t starting salary for graduates of going to help me, and I never put nearly $70,000, the nursing prothe time in, yet this program has gram at Villanova is special and taught me to value my studies. My extremely unique. With in-person social life might be compromised, clinicals starting sophomore year, but it is a choice I have made bethe nursing program is a full-time cause I want to do well. job.

TV: How is it being both a Due to the intensity of the nursing student and a student-athprogram, nursing majors underlete? take serious devotion and time KJ: The hardest thing commitment, something junior for me would be that, although nursing student Kathleen Johnson I know that our coaches undercan attest to. Johnson is not only a stand that school comes first, it nursing student, but also a volleycan be mentally exhausting to ball player, making her life one of show up each day and do what I serious time constraints. Johnson do. Both sides do not have room sat down with The Villanovan to for excuses. For instance, I have talk about her day-to-day life as been suffering from a back injuboth a nurse and student athlete. ry for a year now, and no matter The Villanovan: What is a how much pain I might be in at typical day in your life at clinical? clinical, I still have to show up Kathleen Johnson: I usuand learn because my studies and ally have a plan to get ready for progress could be affected. Addimy day ahead of time by laying tionally, I could have come back out my scrubs and stethoscope from a game late the night before, and badge packed away to aid in yet I still have to come to clinical my early wake up time. Nursing the next morning and put in the school has taught me to always work no matter the circumstancthink ahead, so I always set up my es. The same goes for volleyball, necessities, including breakfast, as it does not matter if I have back well. I drive over to Bryn Mawr to back classes and am rushed to Hospital, where my badge allows eat lunch because I still show up me in the garage to park and all every day to practice because it of us meet in the lobby at 6:45 is my choice to pursue what I do. a.m. Typically, we learn where we With my injury I also don’t always will be helping out that day from have time to get treatment with our instructor, and two students my trainer because classes start are paired with one nurse. The Volleyball player and nursing student Kathleen Johnson talked to the Villanovan. in the morning and end before nurses typically have four patients, Courtesy of Maddie Schieder practice time. Nursing and sports so as students we are in charge are definitely not a match made in of taking vital signs, putting their giving treatment live in action. fessors are rooting for you. I have heaven and it is hard to manage, information in the system, giving TV: What is the most diflearned that nursing is more than so I am very proud I am learning patients their medicine and more. ficult part about being a nursing just classes and more than tests; to navigate both priorities. With Last semester, I was placed on the major? it is preparation to take care of clinicals I miss a whole day of orthopedic floor and the oncology KJ: There is definitely a real people, so there is a pressure practice, so I have to schedule my floor, allowing me to experience high expectation to do well not to perform well. Success is on you lift and practice times around it to various kinds of patients and treat- only for the students but for the and the time you put into it, and make up for what I have missed. ments. At the end of each week, professors as well. Throughout everyone wants you to succeed.

Last year, I would have to come in we have a weekly assignment of a my junior year, the program has For me, I take assignments very and practice by myself because I patient and have to include details certainly amped up compared seriously because I want to be a had to miss practice times for lab. about them and their medical his- to my freshman year. Professors good nurse and a respected one. I Although it is demanding, again it tory during that week. We are alare giving us tests that are long cannot always do what everyone is a choice I have made and someways encouraged to gain as much and difficult, and sometimes it else is doing. I often have to put thing not a lot of people can say experience as we can, so if time can be discouraging if you do not my studies first rather than focusthey have done, which will allow allows we will go watch the nurses perform well, but all of the proing on my social life when I have me to have a successful future.

Maddie Schieder Staff Writer

CULTURE

10 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Villa-Vogue: Dopamine Dressing Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer A new chapter emerges with the new year, a seemingly more normal one than the pandemic-riddled chapters of late.

With 2022 comes opportunity and hope for better days to come.

And what does society do with this newfound hope you may ask? Incorporate it into fashion, of course.

Introducing dopamine dressing—a reflection of hope through clothing with the usage of bright colors and joyful ensembles.

The concept of dopamine dressing has been under the psychological research scope for quite some time. Do the colors we wear actually have an impact on our moods? Is this something that we should consider every morning when getting dressed? To further our understanding, it is important to take a closer look at the neurotransmitter known as dopamine. “[Dopamine] has many functions: it is involved in reward, motivation, memory, and attention,” explained Maria Costantino, a lecturer in cultural and historical studies at the London College of Fashion. “When dopamine is released in large amounts, it creates feelings of pleasure and reward

which motivates us to repeat a specific behaviour.”

The release of dopamine is what humans strive for. The single reason why our brains feel pleasure and set goals to reach is all thanks to that one hormone.

Now where does fashion fall into this?

It has been scientifically researched that when participants wear clothes of personal symbolic value, their perceived confidence increases. In addition to implemented value, the colors one chooses associate with one’s emotions. For example, cool hues are used to increase concentration, while warm colors enhance excitement and positivity.

It is important to note that meaning behind colors cannot be generalized to one answer. What one color may make someone feel could be different to the next. From a cultural perspective, the color white is primarily associated with purity in the West and associated with death in Eastern cultures.

That being said, the emotions one wants to portray through clothing should be for their own benefit. Don’t focus on how others will perceive you and focus on expressing one’s own self.

A better way to think about dopamine dressing is in relation

Dopamine dressing has been a major trend at fashion shows, like 2021 Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Courtesy of Vogue UK

to personal, rather than universal, associations. For some, wearing darker hues may arouse more feelings of happiness over bright colored counterparts. It all comes down to the individual’s personal associations with the shades they wear.

Now that we’ve established that dopamine dressing is subjective, I believe I should make it clear that I cannot tell people what colors to wear in order to feel a

particular way. That’s impossible to define. However, bright colors have historically been a common link with sensory pleasure and are therefore expected to make a revival post-lockdown period. The proverbial rainbow after the storm, so to speak.

As society slowly moves towards a hopeful, post-lockdown period, figure out what colors people associate with confidence and wear them proudly.

Students Participate in 2022 March for Life A.J. Fezza Co-Culture Editor On Friday, Jan. 21, numerous Villanova students participated in the 49th annual March for Life at the National Mall in Washington DC. The first March for Life was held in 1974, one year after the passage of the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized abortion across the United States: Roe v. Wade. The March usually begins in front of the Washington Monument and ends at the steps of the Supreme Court, the site of the decision. In 2021, COVID-19 restrictions and increased security following the storming of the Capitol meant that the event had to be held online. However, participants were able to return in-person this year with the same fervor they have had for the past five decades.

Forty-three Villanova students were present at the event.

Most of them came with Villanovans For Life (VFL), the University’s pro-life student organization, which sponsors a trip to the March each year. Since the March occurred on a Friday, participants had to miss class in order to attend.

Villanova’s participants came equipped with posters of various pro-life quotes and slogans. Some of these included: “You don’t have to be planned to be human,” “A person is a person no matter how small,” and “Life offers no guarantees but abortion offers no chances.”

The 2022 March for Life comes on the heels on major developments regarding abortion access. On Sept. 1, 2021, the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect

Villanovans for Life members pose outside Washington National Cathedral.

Courtesy of Villanovans for Life

in the state, marking the first time a state has successfully imposed a six-week abortion ban since Roe v.

Wade. The U.S. Supreme Court has defended the constitutionality of the ban. These events have encouraged pro-life activists in the quest to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The Villanovan spoke with VFL President Andrew Patton about the organization’s experience at the March for Life.

“The only single word I can think of to describe the atmosphere is hopeful,” Patton said.

“Thousands of middle school, high school and university students who were all there in the hopeful anticipation that Roe v. Wade will be overturned this June. Hopeful and thankful that abortion is finally starting to become a human rights issue, not only with respect to the mother, but also the human being

growing inside her womb.”

Patton made it clear that the issue of abortion need not be aligned with America’s current partisan factions.

“I was personally pleased with how little politics was discussed,” Patton said. “I was worried some people would try and turn the March into a MAGA rally. But no, the focus was on what us young people can do to support the changes that are coming — we need not only to ban abortion, but to make it unthinkable in our country and around the world.”

While VFL is not religiously affiliated, many of its members who attended the March for Life are active in Catholic life on campus.

The Villanovan spoke with sophomore Peter Keepman, Chancellor for Villanova’s Knights of

Columbus Council, about his role in the March.

“It was a privilege to represent Villanova University and bear witness to our Catholic and Augustinian Values at the March for Life,” Keepman said. “There, we prayed and advocated alongside 150,000 people from across the nation for the end to abortion, and for the upholding of the dignity of all human life, from conception until natural death.”

There were numerous speakers at the March for Life, including U.S. Congressmen Chris Smith and Julia Letlow, priests, nurses, students and more. According to Patton, one common thread among the speakers was promoting not just an end to abortion, but creating an environment that is not conducive to abortion.

“Many speakers emphasized that before and after Roe is overturned, we have so much more work to do,” Patton said. “We have to encourage men to stand up authentically for the women in their life who feel scared and trapped, and that means supporting her and her wonderful child as much as we are able. Love supports and encourages, but it never enables. It simply isn’t noble or loving to hold a woman’s hand as she ends her child’s life. We have to provide for the mothers and make them feel safe—not make them feel like the carpet is being swept out from under them, but like they matter to us just as much as their child matters to us. Until every mother and father of a preborn child feels supported rather than restricted, we haven’t done enough yet.”

Overall, the atmosphere of the event was one of optimism for pro-life activists.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Villanovan | 11

CULTURE

Introducing: Villanova Girls Who Code Julia Stanisci Staff Writer This spring, Villanova University welcomed a new club on campus: Girls Who Code. Girls Who Code is an expansive nonprofit organization which aims to support and increase the number of women in computer science by equipping them with the necessary computing skills to pursue careers and opportunities.

The Villanovan sat down with Caroline MacLaren, the student who decided to bring the organization to Villanova’s campus.

MacLaren is a junior Computer Engineer in Villanova’s College of Engineering.

MacLaren originally had the idea to bring girls who code to Villanova’s campus after the success she had at her high school during her senior year. She had already garnered experience with the club’s mission through working with middle school girls to promote an interest in tech and computer programming at a young age. At Villanova, she noticed the need for college women to really create a place to pursue such STEM and computer engineering-based endeavors.

MacLaren acknowledged Villanova College of Engineering’s efforts towards closing the gender gap in STEM, but she noted that there is still a lot of work to be done in the classroom.

“Transitioning from an

all girls-school to Nova, it was incredibly intimidating existing in a classroom of at least 75 percent boys,” MacLaren said. “I found myself scared to speak up and engage in class. I found myself questioning small things like how I dressed and where I sat as factors of whether or not I would be taken seriously. As time has gone on at Villanova, I’ve found myself more comfortable in the classroom and have found friends who have supported me in my major. However, I knew this wasn’t going to be true for everyone. So ultimately, my goal behind establishing Girls Who Code at Villanova was to create a safe and welcoming environment for girls to pursue technical endeavors in whatever form it may be. By establishing that space, girls can feel so much more encouraged and confident in the classroom. Also, by having this space, girls can pursue a variety of different interests by being in not only the comfort of their club on campus, but the 100,000 plus girls around the globe supporting them.”

The Villanova chapter of Girls Who Code is a “College Loop” (the college program that Girls Who Code offers). A key mission of establishing a chapter on campus is that although there are other clubs specific to individual schools on promoting women in various fields, Girls Who Code is grounded in an interdisciplinary goal to bridge different majors of women interested in any form of

Professors in the College of Liberal Arts collaborate over DEI course ideas.

Courtesy of Girls Who Code

computing, technology and engineering. The club has three main objectives: building sisterhood, building leadership and building careers. The Villanovan asked MacLaren about her hopes for the club.

“I definitely am looking forward to meeting all of the girls that have already expressed interest at our meeting this Monday, Jan 24,” MacLaren said. “Ultimately, it’s not about the number of girls that come but the impact that the girls that do come have.”

“I want them to truly feel encouraged and confident in the space we create. Additionally, we plan to achieve our goals by creating a mentorship program with

undergraduate students and Villanova women in the field, inviting women to come and meet with our club members, and providing career and interview enrichment.”

Girls Who Code is still in the early stages of development, and most of its events will be happening at club meetings. It is looking to bring relevant women in the field to meet with members and share their experiences. It will also be doing a lot of technical interview prep events for career enrichment and overall coding events for any girls interested.

You can reach out to girlswhocodevillanova@gmail.com if interested. Membership is open to any female identifying students.

Film Review: Netflix’s “Don’t Look Up” Kai da Luz Staff Writer What would you do if someone told you the world was ending in two months? What about two years, or even 200 years?

In his new movie “Don’t Look Up,” which began streaming on Netflix on Dec. 24, director Adam McKay plays with this question. He brings that concept into the present, making a satirical jab at our distracted and narcissistic society.

McKay is truly a jack of all trades. He got his start as a head writer for SNL. After two seasons, he left the show and gained renown working alongside Will Ferrell. Many recognize his work with Ferrell, co-writing “Talladega Nights,” “Anchorman” and “Step Brothers,” to name a few.

In the last decade, McKay has demonstrated his range as a director, adding an element of drama into his more recent films.

Beginning with “The Big Short” in 2015, followed by “Vice” in 2018, McKay developed a mastery that shines through in “Don’t Look Up.” His ability to combine the serious with the satirical leaves room for both to individually speak to the audience.

The film features a truly star-studded cast. Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the mantle of Dr. Randall Mindy, an astronomer and professor to graduate student Kate Dibiasky, who is played

by Jennifer Lawrence. It is Kate

who discovers the comet, which prompts her and Dr. Mindy to present their findings to President Orlean, played by Meryl Streep.

The film does not stop there, as it finds roles for Jonah Hill, Rob Morgan, Tyler Perry and Timothée Chalamet to add to the apocalyptic action.

True to her abilities, Streep’s portrayal of President Orlean is fantastic. It is clear that McKay gave her some room to run with the role, as she takes the Oval Office by storm with her uninterested and unprofessional portrayal of the president. However, sometimes Streep’s performance is a bit overplayed.

DiCaprio is another actor who shines in the film. His mannerisms as the astronomer Dr. Mindy are filled with trepidation that contrast his traditional roles in films like “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “The Great Gatsby,” which make it all the more enjoyable to watch.

While the film alone is purely entertaining, it does present underlying messages that add to the movie’s depth. The overarching theme of McKay’s work concerns the climate change crisis.

While it is never specifically mentioned in the film, the comparison is meant to be obvious.

McKay utilizes scenes of nature as transitions throughout the feature. Short clips of a bee collecting pollen from a flower or of trees in a forest serve as a reminder that humans share the planet with numerous other liv-

ing things. Real footage of a bear walking around in a supermarket and a polar bear clinging to melting ice feed into the narrative that the human-wrought climate crisis is robbing animals of their natural habitats and destroying the environment.

The movie touches on one of the problems that has seeped into the war against climate change, presenting the attempt of neoliberal capitalists to privatize the burgeoning green economy.

Mark Rylance’s role as the CEO of BASH cellular, Peter Isherwell, pokes fun at the Jeff Bezoses and

“Don’t Look Up” came out on Dec. 24, 2021.

Courtesy of IMDb

Elon Musks of the world, as they look to space as a profitable answer to Earth’s problems rather than focusing resources on combating the problems at home.

The film also takes obvious swings at American politics.

McKay includes specific references to the 2016 and 2020 presidential election campaigns. The “Don’t Look Up” hats that President Orlean and her supporters don during the film give reference to the “Make America Great Again” hats worn by former President Donald Trump and his supporters.

A line uttered by Jonah Hill’s character, the president’s son, Jason Orlean reads “If she wasn’t my mother,” which jabs at former President Trump’s “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.”

Near the conclusion of the movie, McKay does a fantastic job with the dinner table scene which stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the film. It shows the culmination of the truly stark reality that McKay’s film purports society is heading towards.

All in all, “Don’t Look Up” is a fabulously written ridicule of society with a strong enough cast and jokes that allow it to take off.

The film uses the guise of a comet because humans often forget that the climate crisis is an apocalyptic threat. This feature leaves its audience wondering even after they turn off their TV: How can we stand a chance against problems that are long-term and “boring” by our standards?

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CULTURE

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Augustinians of Villanova: Father David Cregan Olivia Sabalaskey Staff Writer

between Ireland and Philadelphia for years.”

In 1999, Fr. David was ordained an Augustinian priest, and “Even though most of us he thrived during his years in Dublin don’t think that we are worthy, the given that his extended family lived greatest thing that we can do is to steps away from where he lived and offer ourselves, in all of our triumphs studied. and in all of our tragedies, to God, In 2004, Fr. David returned and to let God mold us,” Father to Villanova and taught full-time David Cregan, O.S.A., Ph.D. said. in the Department of Theatre and This week, Fr. David offers Studio Art. Villanovans a glimpse into his life as It was in 2017 that the Provincial an Augustinian at Villanova Univerasked Fr. David to become a Novsity in the Augustinians of Villanova ice Director, an integral part of the Column.Fr. David grew up in a Formation process. devout, Roman Catholic and Irish “I took a three year leave of family. absence from Villanova and moved Although his parents moved to Wisconsin,” Fr. David said. “In from Ireland to the Philadelphia area 2021, I returned to Villanova and to raise a family, they returned to Ire(Left to Right) Fr. David Cregan, O.S.A., Ph.D. with his mother, Evelyn, in Dublin, Ireland. heartily accepted the position of land when Fr. David was just seven Courtesy of Fr. David Cregan Associate Dean of Academic Afyears old. He remembers his time in fairs and Strategic Initiatives for the a few months left on his apartment’s Ireland fondly, describing his prima- theatre, given that the Augustinians College of Professional Studies while lease. Upon his return to New York, “would always be here,” the Vocary school years as very formative. also continuing to teach theatre to Fr. David gave himself an ultimatum.

Fr. David and his family later tion Director said. undergraduates.”

“It was time to make a Fr. David participated in returned to the Philadelphia area. Fr. Fr. David finds his work in choice,” Fr. David said. “I would stay three national tours, an Off-BroadDavid attended Monsignor Bonner the College of Professional Studies to in New York only if I got a part in a way show and later worked at a & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic be a perfect fit for him, and he values Broadway show, nothing else.”

High School, an Augustinian Catho- repertory theater in St. Louis, Misits mission.

Although Fr. David audilic high school located in Drexel Hill, souri in which he joined several fan “It is a fantastic place to be favorite musicals including “Anything tioned for “Bye Bye Birdie” and Pennsylvania. During Fr. David’s because in the Villanova culture, received a callback, he did not get a Senior Year Retreat, he not only felt Goes,” “South Pacific” and “Gypthere are a lot of people that need part in the musical. Feeling at peace, sy.” However, the Roman Catholic a strong connection to God but also and want support,” Fr. David said. faith remained an integral part of Fr. Fr. David knew that it was time to rea calling to join the Order of St. “In Professional Studies, we make it David’s life as he continued to attend turn back to Philadelphia, his home.

Augustine, commonly referred to as more affordable, help students with Upon his arrival, Fr. David spoke Sunday mass and prayed often. the Augustinians. their debt, and support the children During one Sunday Mass, Fr. with Rev. Peter Donohue, O.S.A., Like many of his peers in his of our invaluable Villanova employPh.D., seeking guidance from the senior class, Fr. David chose to attend David was shocked to see a familiar ees through the program Rise.” face: his high school religion teacher, Vocation Director regarding his next Villanova University as an underWhen asked about his fasteps in the process to become an an Augustinian. After the Augustingraduate because of his interest in vorite part of being an Augustinian ian offered Mass attendees informa- Augustinian. the Augustinian way of life and the at Villanova University, Fr. David Fr. David then participated in encouragement he received from the tion regarding the mission appeal, Fr. was surprised at how easy it was to David chatted with him, reminiscing two Master’s programs at the WashVocation Director at the time. answer the question. on his high school years and his love ington Theological Union and the Fr. David started his fresh“Nothing tops what it is like for Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Catholic University of America in man year in the fall of 1985, and to be in the St. Thomas of VillaWashington, D.C. Prendergast Catholic High School. pursued a major in the Department nova Church on a Sunday night,” “After I completed both “When I walked back home, of Theatre and Studio Art. Fr. David said.

“It is so peaceful, so Master’s programs, Fr. Ed Dobbin I had a rare ‘aha’ moment in which During Fr. David’s underrejuvenating.

Being with all of the and Fr. Peter suggested that I return graduate years at Villanova, he strug- I realized that I was supposed to young students who are so dedicated to Ireland to pursue a Ph.D. in Irish become an Augustinian,” Fr. David gled in choosing between pursuing to their Catholic faith is truly beautiDramatic Literature and another said. “It didn’t take me completely a professional career in theatre and ful.”

Master’s in Irish Theatre and Film by surprise, though, because I had joining the Augustinians. As recomFr. David says Daily Mass ofmended by Villanova’s Vocation Di- been thinking about it since I was 17 at Trinity College in Dublin,” Fr. ten on Tuesday and Thursday nights David said. “It was so ironic that I years old.” rector at the time, Fr. David moved at 5:30 p.m. in Corr Chapel. All are was to return to Ireland because my Fr. David then traveled back to New York after his graduation welcome to attend. family has been going back and forth from Villanova to pursue a career in to New York, given that he still had

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Villanovan | 13

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SPORTS

Men’s Basketball Tops DePaul, 67-43

After a short Blue Demons answer, the ‘Cats continued to build their lead, going on an 11-0 run that lasted just over three and On Tuesday night, the Vil- a half minutes. That scoring spurt, lanova Wildcats beat the DePaul led by Gillespie, who contributed Blue Demons 67-43 to improve to six points on two threes, expand15-5, 8-2 in the Big East. Junior ed the Wildcats’ advantage to 15. guard Justin Moore led the team in The ‘Cats would carry a 13-point scoring with 16 points, while soph- lead into the half, leading 35-22. omore forward Eric Dixon finished Offense from the outside with a double-double of 11 points played a major role in the game as and 10 rebounds. Graduate guard the Wildcats were at a size disadCollin Gillespie finished with 14 vantage throughout. Half of the points and a team-high two assists. Blue Demons players who logged The game started with minutes in the first frame stood at Moore making a statement, pump 6-foot-7 or taller. DePaul’s junior faking a three-point shot, driving center Nick Ongenda and senior into the lane and throwing down a forward Yor Anei both stand taller dunk just under three minutes into than any player on the ‘Cats rosthe first half of play. Moore then ter, listed at 6-11 and 6-10, respecexploded from three, shooting tively.

3-for-3 and posting 11 of the ‘Cats “I didn’t really change 19 points in the first 10 minutes. anything, I just tried to take what The other eight came from senior was there, and tried to be tough forward Brandon Slater, who hit a and physical,” Dixon said. “Dethree, and graduate forward JerPaul’s forwards are super good. maine Samuels, who had a three I mean really athletic and strong and a driving layup. and tough, smart as well. It was “I was just being aggressive definitely a good challenge, but I and taking my looks when they didn’t change anything.” were there,” Moore said of his At the half, the ‘Cats had early takeover. “My teammates posted just 10 points in the paint were finding me. I was being and were losing the rebounding aggressive and trying to get to the battle 17-13 and 6-2 on the ofrim or take my open shots.” fensive glass. The answer for the The ‘Cats continued to team’s struggles inside was the take and make from downtown as long ball as the ‘Cats shot 8-12 redshirt senior guard Caleb Danfrom three in the first half, a major iels hit a three from the right wing uptick from the squad’s last game to push the Wildcats’ lead to nine, in the Finneran Pavilion against finishing a 7-0 run for Villanova.

Marquette, where Villanova shot Owen Hewitt Staff Writer

6-24.

The ‘Cats finished the game outrebounding the Blue Demons 33-30 despite the size disadvantage.

“We did outrebound them, which is an accomplishment,” head coach Jay Wright said.

Moore was the leading scorer for the ‘Cats in the first half, despite being held scoreless after his initial 11-point outburst. Dixon led the team in rebounding, posting four at the break.

The second half started with intense defense from Villanova as Slater nabbed an early steal and Samuels followed with a rejection on a Blue Demon drive on the next possession. DePaul started to look towards the perimeter as their interior offense stalled, shooting 2-2 from three in the early goings of the second.

The ‘Cats came out of the break in a shooting slump, scoring just five points in the first eight minutes. The poor shooting from Villanova allowed the Blue Demons to cut the lead from 13 to six with 11:48 left to play.

“The message all night was ‘these guys are long, and aggressive and they’re on the offensive glass and they’re backing us down in the post, and we’ve got to be physical,’” Wright said. “But it wasn’t just then, it was all night.”

Gillespie sank a three to build the lead back up to nine and break the ‘Cats out of a nearly six-minute long scoring drought

with 11:29 left in the game. Gillespie started to heat up, hitting another three to increase Villanova’s lead to 12. Moore then contributed with a three of his own, his first points since the 12:33 mark in the first half.

The Wildcats continued to play some intense defense while trying to close the game out.

Moore came away with a steal on a cross-court pass after having his own three-pointer blocked on the other end.

Dixon threw down an emphatic slam off of a Blue Demons turnover to cap off a 7-0 run and put the ‘Cats up 17 with 6:33 remaining. Points off turnovers also helped the Wildcats overcome their struggles from the interior, as the squad turned 15 DePaul turnovers into 18 points.

Dixon tipped in an errant shot to increase the lead to 20 and DePaul would never get any closer.

Senior guard Kevin Voigt and freshman forward Trey Patterson also saw some game time as the ‘Cats closed the game out.

Villanova finished with 26 points in the paint, 16 of which came in the second half.

The win keeps the Wildcats in second place in the Big East, trailing only the Providence Friars (6-1 Big East), who are currently on a COVID break. The ‘Cats will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, taking on St. John’s at 4:30 in the Finneran Pavilion. The game will be televised on FOX.

Women’s Track Hosts Villanova Invite

Catherine Browne Staff Writer

The Wildcats continued their success in the indoor season as the women’s track and field team competed against 12 teams at the Villanova Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 22 in Ocean Breeze, Staten Island. The Wildcats finished their home meet with six individual wins and many athletes setting new personal bests. This meet follows their first place win in the Penn-10 Competition the week prior.

Graduate student Sade Meeks broke the school’s 20-year weight throw record in the Penn10 last week, throwing 17.98 meters. This week, she shattered her own record and threw a personal best of 20.88 meters, which is currently ranked 13th in the country for this indoor season. The second-place finisher managed a throw of 16.84 meters. Additionally, Meeks placed first in the shot put with a throw of 14.18 meters, placing her eighth for the longest throw in Wildcat history.

Junior Jane Livingston earned first place in the preliminary heats for the 60-meter hurdles, finishing in 8.32 seconds.

This qualified her for the finals, where she held onto her first place position with a time of 8.40, placing her fourth in the event in Villanova history.

Villanova had six athletes take home a victory on Saturday Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Three Wildcats competed in the preliminary heat for the 600m dash where senior Trinity Hart finished in 7.89, junior Alexis Martin in 8.06 and senior Olivia Morgan in 8.28.

In the 400 meter competition, graduate student McKenna Keegan placed first with a time of 54.71.

Junior Madison Martinez ran a time of 1:15.12 in the 500 meter race, securing first place for the Wildcats, while freshman Alex Stasichin followed in third place with a time of 1:16.00.

Another top finisher, junior Anna Helwigh, competed in the 1000 meter race in 2:51.76 fol-

lowed by junior Nikki Merrill, who finished in seventh place with a time of 2:58.16.

Graduate student Jul Thomson ranked top 10 in the weight throw competition, reaching a distance of 16.55 meters.

Thomson also placed fourth in the shot put with a new personal best of 13.38 meters. Senior Emily Galvin threw 16.15 meters in the weight throw competition, placing her sixth in the record books.

Galvin also competed in the shot put and threw for 11.50 meters, while graduate student Samantha Stevens threw 13.73 meters in the weight throw and 12.45 meters in the shot put.

Also competing in the shot put was senior Liv Morgan, who threw 10.15 meters. Morgan also made an appearance in the 60 meter dash, running an 8.28. She is expected to compete in multi events later this season.

Villanova claimed second through fifth place in the mile on Saturday with junior Maggie Smith coming in second with a time of 4:41.07. Finishing behind Smith by less than 0.6 seconds, senior Lydia Olivere placed third with a time of 4:41.59, followed by freshman Sadie Sigfstead with a time of 4:51.89, all three marking new personal bests in the event.

With a time of 4:55.61, freshman Emma McGill finished in fifth place.

In the 4x400 meter relay, Villanova finished second, with a cumulative time of 3:49.16. Junior Alexis Martin kicked off the race with a time of 59.32, followed by Martinez with 56.76, Keegan in 54.00 and Stasichin closing out the race with a 59.08 split.

Other notable events include senior Ashley Preston finishing in third in the pole vault event, clearing 3.70 meters, and sophomore Roschell Clayton coming in second in the high jump, with a distance of 1.70 meters.

Villanova returns to action on Friday, Jan. 28 when it travels to Boston University to compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic.

14 | The Villanovan

SPORTS

Individuals Shine at Villanova Invitational

bests in the 60-meter hurdles (8.70), Wildcats. Villanova newcomer Riley and the 200-meter run (22.76). Senior LaRiviere got third place in the Dylan Henry made the final of the weight throw, with a distance of 16.65 60m and registered times of 7.16 in meters. LaRiviere placed sixth in On Saturday, Villanova men’s the heats, and 7.17 in the final. Grad- the shot put, with a measurement of track and field returned to Staten uate student Michael Troup posted a 14.26 meters. LaRiviere is a graduIsland, N.Y., to host the Villanova mark of 7.20 in the preliminary heats, ate transfer from Lehigh and made Invitational. The meet, taking place at finishing five-hundredths of a second his Villanova debut last week in the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletoff his personal best time. season opener. He already ranks fifth ic Complex, had 11 different men’s Senior Richie Bush ran in the on Villanova’s all-time top-10 athletes teams participate.

200 meters and the 4x400 meter rein the weight throw with a distance of The Wildcats kept the top lay. Bush finished in 12th place in the 16.65 meters. Junior Eduardo Perez spot in the 800 meters for the sec200, running a time of 22.39, and led placed seventh in the shot put with a ond consecutive meet. Junior middle off the 4x400, which finished fourth throw of 13.58 meters. distance runner Miller Anderson with a time of 3:20.28, with a split of Senior Jim Keys competed in finished in first place with a win49.90. the jumping events, clearing a height ning time of 1:53.21. Along with Earlier in the day, Kunzer and of 4.55 meters in the pole vault.

Anderson, graduate student Jacob sophomore William Seijas each ran After two straight meets in Bonanotte ran a 2:01.00. Junior the 400 meters, finishing with times New York to open the season, Villamiddle distance runner Sean Dolan of 51.18 (eighth place) and 52.52 nova travels to Boston next weekend took first place in the 800 meter last (13th place), respectively. to compete in the John Thomas Terweekend at the same complex.

The throwing events prorier Classic, hosted by Boston UniverOther distance runners set duced favorable results for the sity. personal bests and shaved time off their previous races. Graduate Ryan Cutter recorded a personal best in the 3000 meters with a time of 8:13.33.

Cutter, who is a fifth-year transfer from The University of Chicago, cut almost eight seconds off his top time and finished third out of 32 runners.

Another Villanova runner in the 3000 meters was freshman Devon Comber, who was an unattached competitor and posted a personal best time of 8:20.85. Junior Mathias Powell recorded a time of 8:38.41.

Sophomore Chris Weeks ran the 1000 meter in the meet, with a time of 2:34.03.

In the sprinting events, sophJunior Miller Anderson dominated in the 800m with a winning time of 1:53.21. omore Nicholas Mollica set personal Courtesy of Villanova Athletics Jacob Artz Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Jan. 19 - Jan. 25

Wednesday, January 19 Men’s Basketball vs Marquette 57-54 L Thursday, January 20 Men’s Swim @ Pittsburgh 68-229 L Women’s Swim @ Pittsburgh 121.5-176.5 L Friday, January 21 Women’s Basketball vs Providence 71-56 W Saturday, January 22 Women’s Tennis @ Bucknell 3-4 L Men’s Swim @ West Virginia 92-128 L Women’s Swim @ West Virginia 177-120 W Women’s Swim @ Iowa State 145-150 L Men’s Track vs Villanova Invitational No Team Scoring Women’s Track vs Villanova Invitational No Team Scoring Men’s Basketball @ Georgetown 85-74 W Sunday, January 23 Women’s Basketball vs Creighton 74-64 W Monday, January 24 None Tuesday, January 25 Men’s Basketball vs DePaul 64-43 W

Women’s Swim Wins One of Three Road Meets Aphrodite Dimopoulos Staff Writer Villanova’s women’s swim team continued its long streak of road meets as it traveled to Pittsburgh on Thursday, Jan. 20 and West Virginia on Saturday, Jan. 22.

The team suffered a tough loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday but was able to split the meet on Saturday, losing to Iowa State but pulling out a win against host West Virginia.

Although the overall result was a loss, Villanova won seven of its events against Pittsburgh and totaled more than 20 top-five performances, including multiple from seniors Kelly Montesi and Nicole Welch. Together, they earned five individual wins for the Wildcats, and each had stand-out performances.

This meet marked the fourth straight that Montesi has won all of her individual races, with first place wins in the 100-yard backstroke, with a time of 54.81, the 200-yard backstroke, with a time of 1:58.68, and the 400-yard individual medley, with a time of 4:23.04. To add to her individual success, Montesi participated in the 400-yard freestyle relay with graduate student Milly Routledge, junior Perri Stahl and senior Abbey Berloco as the team’s anchor. The dynamic group of four brought home a first place win in this event, with a time of 3:27.34.

Beyond her relay success, Routledge placed first in the 50yard free with a time of 23.87,

teams required a major team effort, as seven of the Wildcat swimmers contributed to the winning events.

Extending her hot streak, Montesi dominated once again with another sweep of her events, winning the 100-yard back, with a time of 55.44, 100-yard butterfly, with a time of 55.37, the 200-yard IM, with a time of 2:02.86, and the 200-yard medley relay, with a cumulative time of 1:43.90. Stahl, Bailey and Berloco made up the rest of the relay team that ultimately beat Iowa State’s squad in a close finish.

Another first place finish for the Wildcats came from Welch in the 1650-yard free with a time of 17:30.75, beating the second place Kelly Montesi led the Wildcats, sweeping all of her events in the three weekend meets. finisher by six seconds. Routledge Courtesy of Villanova Athletics finished third in three of her events: the 200-yard free, with a time of quickly followed by Stahl in third and sophomore Lexi Elkovitch 1:50.91, the 100-yard free, with a place at 23.99 and Berloco in finished third in the 400 free relay time of 51.34, and the 400-yard fourth place with a time of 24.06. with a time of 3:33.55. free relay, with a time of 3:26.91 on Along with Montesi, Welch helped For diving, senior Andrea Villanova keep the match close with Holtz finished fifth in the one-meter a team with Berloco, Elkovitch and Stahl. her wins in the 500-yard free and with a score of 212.33 and sixth Routledge finished second the 1000-yard free, with times of in the three-meter, with a score of place in the 50-yard free, falling 5:02.09 and 10:16.84, respectively.

236.25. short from first by just 0.02 seconds, Although only Montesi, The meet ended with PittsWelch, Routledge and the 400burgh winning, 176.5-121.5. Previ- with a time of 23.87. Berloco also finished second in both the 200yard free relay placed first, the ous to this meet, the Wildcats were yard free and 100-yard free. Bailey Wildcats racked up many second on a three-meet winning streak, added a second-place finish in the and third place finishes throughmaking this its first loss since No200-yard fly, with a time of 2:04.86. out the remainder of the meet. In vember.

Further, Welch and Gravell finished the 200-yard medley relay, Stahl, Traveling to Morgantown, second in the 500-yard free and the sophomore Audrey Pastorek, grad- W.V., Villanova faced both Iowa 200-yard IM, respectively. uate student Elizabeth Bailey and State and West Virginia in the triThe Wildcats look to carry sophomore Cara Stapleton worked meet on Saturday. With a total of together to create a third place finnine wins, Villanova beat West Vir- their efforts into next weekend as ish in a time of 1:47.09. Continuginia, 177-120, but fell short against they head to Penn State on Friday to take on the undefeated Nittany ing with relay successes, Stapleton, Iowa State, 150-145. That being Lions. sophomore Molly Benson, Welch said, competition against both

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

The Villanovan | 15

SPORTS

Men’s Swim Loses Third Straight Zac Tipton Staff Writer Over the weekend, Villanova traveled to Pitt and West Virginia and fell in both matchups, 229-68 and 198-92, respectively.

The Wildcats went into the road trip having won all three matches in 2022. However, in its first contest of the week against the Panthers, Villanova was outmatched in every aspect, only earning one first, three seconds and five thirds in the 16 events of the day.

The first of these top-three finishes came in the 1,000-yard freestyle, when junior Jake McIntyre took home Villanova’s only gold of the day in a time of 9:40.

This was 12 seconds faster than sophomore teammate Charlie Hinckley, who finished second.

Freshman Aubrey Bowles gave Villanova its second silver of the day by finishing the 200-yard backstroke in a time of 1:53. This was four seconds behind Pitt’s Marcin Goraj. The final silver went to McIntyre, who finished one second behind Pitt’s Guy Frimis in the 500-yard freestyle, with a time of 4:39.

Villanova’s five third-place finishes came from sophomore Nolan Danus in the Men’s 200-yard butterfly, Hinckley in the 500-yard freestyle, junior Kevin Geist in the 100-yard butterfly, freshman Hen-

ry Halloran in the 400-yard individual medley and the 400-yard freestyle relay team consisting of Hinckley, juniors Reid Hutcherson and Ryan Maher and freshman Patrick Hemingway.

Pitt outmatched the ‘Cats in virtually every aspect, sweeping the podium in the majority of the events. There were multiple events where the Panthers had the top four spots. Pitt was led by the threesome of Flynn Crisci, who won all four events he participated in, Goraj, who finished with three golds and a silver and Frimis, who finished with two golds, two silvers and a bronze.

On Saturday against West Virginia, Villanova had very similar results to its matchup at Pitt, again only garnering one win in 18 events, although it did have more second (six) and third (seven) place finishes than the previous meet.

Villanova’s only gold of the day came when sophomore Ethan Brown took home the 200-yard backstroke by less than one-tenth of a second over West Virginia’s Justin Heimes. Brown also had a second-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke behind Heimes.

The first of Villanova’s second place finishes was McIntyre in the 1,650-yard freestyle. He finished 25 seconds behind William Mullen. After that, Danus took home silver in the 200-yard butterfly, with a time of 1:53. Danus also took home second in the 200-

Jesse Marsh helped the 400-freestyle relay get second over the weekend Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

yard breaststroke, finishing just 0.2 seconds faster than his sophomore teammate Richard Nolan.

Villanova performed well in the 500-yard freestyle again.

This time it was Hinckley edging out McIntyre by two seconds to take silver. Villanova took home second in the 400-freestyle relay with the team of senior Jesse Marsh, Maher, Hutcherson and Hemingway. The Wildcats also had their first diving medal of the weekend, getting a third-place finish on senior Michael Ackert’s

three-meter dive.

West Virginia had 33 medal winners, compared to Villanova’s 13. David Dixon led the way with four wins, including three solos. Villanova was led by Brown and Danus, who combined for one gold, three silvers and one bronze.

Next up for Villanova is a trip to State College to face Big Ten team Penn State. The Nittany Lions are hosting their senior day for the 17 seniors on the roster. It will be the last road meet before the Big East Tournament.

Women’s Tennis Falls to Bucknell, 4-3 Amanda McKean Staff Writer On Saturday, Jan. 22, the Villanova women’s tennis team traveled to Bucknell University and fell to the Bison, 4-3, in its first match of the spring season.

Bucknell leads the all-time series between the two teams by a margin of 14-9, but Saturday was the first time in the last five meetings that the Bison emerged victorious.

The Wildcats’ doubles teams fell short fell short as well, losing all three matchups on the day, two of which were decided on a tie-breaking point. The first match pitted the Bison’s Daniela Bellini and Whitney King against the Wildcat’s junior Annalise Klopfer and senior Emily Strande.

Strande and Klopfer were both First Team All-Big East selections last season and are expected to be the veteran leaders for the Wildcat squad this season, the Bison were able to pull off the first win, beating the Wildcat duo, seven games to six.

The number two position for doubles saw freshman Emma Brogan and senior Sabina Grigorian face the Bison’s Tyne Miller and Laurel Utterback. Brogan and Grigorian suffered the same fate as Klopfer and Strande, losing the set, seven games to five. In the third and final set, Wildcat sophomore Bella Steffen and senior Olivia Kapp went up against Anna Lajos and Madi Sebulsky, losing

The team showed rust in its first match of the spring season.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

seven games to six. The three victories gave the Bison a 1-0 lead entering the singles matchups.

During singles play, the Wildcats started strong with junior Amanda Rivera-Gonzalez in their number one position. Gonzalez showed an impressive performance and was able to defeat Kate Novak in two sets, by scores of 7-6 and 6-2, evening the overall score.

The Bison responded in the

second match between Miller and Brogan. Miller quickly won the first set, 6-3, but Brogan bounced back to win the second set, 6-4. In the end, Miller was able to take the match, winning the third set, 6-2.

In a game of back and forth, the Wildcats answered their No. 2 position defeat with a win in the third. Klopfer lost the first set to Bellini, 4-6, but responded quickly with a win in the second

set, 6-3. In the third set, Klopfer was able to secure the match, 6-2, once again evening the total score at two wins a piece.

The Bisons held it together after this loss and were able to win the fourth match as King took on Strande, winning 7-5 in the first set. Strande was unable to respond, resulting in a 6-0, two-set victory for King.

The Wildcats weren’t ready to go home yet, securing a two-set win in the fifth position matchup.

Junior Caitlin Fisher brought a newfound energy for the Wildcats, winning the first set against Utterback, 6-3. Fisher closed out the match in the second set with a 6-4 win, making the score 3-3 entering the final match of the day.

Lajos faced off against Steffen in a final three-set match.

Lajos took the first set, 7-6, but Steffen adjusted and came back to win the second set 7-5. In the last set, Lajos was able to gain the edge over Steffen winning 6-2 and securing the overall match victory for the Bison with a final score of 4-3.

In their next match, the Wildcats will be heading to Annapolis, Maryland to face the United States Naval Academy on Sunday, Jan. 30. In the nine matchups between the two teams, the Wildcats have never been able to defeat Navy or even earn more than two points in a match.

Behind efforts from Strande and Klopfer, the ‘Cats will look to turn this around on Sunday.