The Villanovan | Volume 112, Issue 9: Wednesday, March 31, 2021

WEDNESDAY MARCH 31, 2021 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

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VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 9

Biden: 100 Million Shots

University Launches The Bandana Project Mental Health Campaign

Joe Adams Staff Writer

In December 2020, then President-elect Joe Biden promised us that in his first 100 days in office, 100 million Americans will be vaccinated. Many, including myself, doubted whether or not this would be true. There was a lot of confusion about distribution, state by state differences and the efficacy of different types of vaccines. During the time of this announcement, the U.S. COVID-19 daily cases were peaking to an all-time high. For Biden, it was an extremely daunting task to take on in his first days as president.

However, unlike his predecessor, Biden kept his word and accomplished this lofty goal. He oversaw the distribution of 100 million vaccines into American’s arms in just 58 days.

Isn’t it refreshing when our leaders keep their promises?

Now, President Biden has set a new, even more ambitious goal: 200 million shots in 100 days.

With just about a month until he hits the 100 day mark, there are still a lot of unknowns. Will we be able to increase the rate of vaccinations like we have over the past month? Can we keep up with the growing number of Americans desperate to get the vaccine? Will another vaccine be approved for use in the United States within the next month?

There are certainly many unknowns for our future, but let’s be happy that we’ve made this much progress in a few months.

Just last year, experts feared that a vaccine might not come for years, citing the amount of time it took for previous vaccines to be made. But we broke the record, thanks to the Continued on p. 5

Sophomore Dayna Deakin runs Villanova University’s “The Bandana Project” campaign.

Courtesy of Cate McCusker

Cate McCusker Co-Editor-in-Chief

Students across the country are facing new and pressing mental health concerns as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, further adding to the worsening mental health epidemic that has been plaguing universities for decades. Even Villanova University’s counseling center has seen this spike, with a surge in appointments this past semester, leaving some students waiting over a week for the chance to meet with a counselor.

Sophomore Dayna

Deakin recognized how many students, including herself, have been struggling lately and wanted to find a way to end the stigma around discussing mental health. Along with fellow sophomores Anna Darling and Hannah Starner, Deakin brought The Bandana Project, a suicide prevention and mental health awareness movement, to Villanova’s campus.

“I found The Bandana Project through another mental health awareness website and it seemed like the missing piece to Villanova’s campus. Especially during such an isolating time, many

students are struggling with mental health and don’t know where to turn for help. The visual support system provided by The Bandana Project is the perfect way to remind students that they are not alone,” Deakin said.

The Bandana Project was originally created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016.

Since then, The Bandana Project has spread to and changed the climate about mental health at over 40 campuses across the U.S. Deakin explained her own struggle with mental health and how the Bandana Project is an effort to remind others that they are

not alone.

“I personally have struggled with my mental health, especially during covid, and what has helped me the most is knowing that I have people to talk to and lean on. You never know what someone else is going through, and it is always important to be weary of any mental health struggles, and continue to support everyone,” Deakin said.

With this initiative, students can pledge to tie a lime-green bandana to their backpack, signifying that they are in possession of campus-specific and national resources for mental Continued on p. 2

Neptune Named Fordham Basketball Coach Billy Vinci

Co-Sports Editor

Villanova assistant men’s basketball coach Kyle Neptune was officially named the head coach of Fordham University in The Bronx, New York on Tuesday afternoon. The move had been speculated, but Fordham made it official that Neptune would be running their program.

“Kyle is a dedicated, intelligent, creative basketball coach. Our players have benefited greatly over the years from his teaching, passion and commitment.

He has recruited outstanding talent to our program and is respected as one of the best recruiters in the country. I will miss his expertise in game situations, his leadership and, most of all, his friendship and loyalty. Fordham is getting

a humble and talented coach and mentor. I know Kyle is excited to join the Fordham community and

return to his home in New York City. Our Villanova community wishes him Continued on p. 14

Kyle Neptune was named Fordham University men’s basketball head coach.

Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

New Vice President of Student Life Announced p. 3

AstraZeneca Vaccine Faces Setbacks in FDA Approval p. 4

Spring Break Tourism Problem at Miami Beach p. 5

How Villanova Divided Campus With ‘Snitch Culture’ p. 6

The Importance of TikTok’s ‘97%’ Trend p. 8

What Does Your Body Language Say About You? p. 9

Students Share Thoughts on Food Truck Friday p. 11

How Freshmen Feel About Online Sorority Recruitment p. 12

Glaring Inequality Inside the NCAA Tournament Bubble p. 13

Softball Sweeps St. Joes on 10 Game Win Streak p. 15

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PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 112 | ISS. 9 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

CATE McCUSKER JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE ARIANA MEGERIAN SARAH SWEENEY SARAH WISNIEWSKI TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN A.J. FEZZA ELENA ROUSE JULIA STANISCI COLIN BEAZLEY BILLY VINCI MOLLY BAKER

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

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

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

Theft by Unlawful Taking of Disposition March 19 Sheehan Hall Several university items were reported stolen inside the Sheehan Hall West Ground Floor Men’s Bathroom. The value of the property is unknown.

Liquor Underage March 21 Friar Hall A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated and transported to the hospital by VEMS for alcohol intoxication.

Criminal Mischief / Theft by Unlawful Taking of Disposition March 21 Sheehan Hall An air conditioning unit inside a residence hall ignited. Bryn Mawr Fire company responded to extinguish the fire.

Harassment March 22 St. Mary’s Hall An RA reported that a female resident student has been receiving harassing phone calls from an unaffiliated male.

CAMPUS CALENDAR

United States

Last Day for Authorized Withdrawl without Academic Penalty March 31 All Day

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion April 2 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Campus Green

Easter Sunday Mass April 4 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Campus Green

Nova Quizzo April 1 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Campus Green

Good Friday Stations of the Cross April 2 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

St. Thomas of Villanova Church

Mindfulness Mondays Meditation April 5 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Virtual

Easter Recess Begins after last class April 1 All Day

Easter Vigil April 3 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Campus Green

Last Day for Authorized Withdrawl without Academic Penalty April 7 All Day

Friday Jummah Prayers April 2 1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

St. Rita of Cascia Community Room

Ecumenical Easter Morning Service April 4 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

The Oreo

2021 Literary Festival: Robin Coste Lewis April 8 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Virtual

The Bandana Project seeks to promote mental health awareness at universities.

Courtesy of The Bandana Project Villanova

1027 1,020,300 31,086,179 128,728,806 Pennsylvania

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

health. The Bandana Project is an effort to proliferate resources, normalize and de-stigmatize getting help, and provide solidarity with those who are struggling.

“The main goal of bringing The Bandana Project to campus is to break the stigma surrounding conversations about mental health,” Deakin explained.

“If the bandana project helps a few people feel more comfortable finding help and talking about their mental health, then it will be a job well done.”

Right now, over 500 students have taken the pledge to wear the lime green bandanas on their backpacks. Deakin hopes to reach 600 pledges before April 2.

“In the future, we hope to have staff and faculty start to take the pledge and wear bandanas as well to show they are also a resource on campus. We look forward to seeing the wave of green grow across campus as more students look to get involved,” Deakin said.

CONFIRMED CUMULATIVE CASES AS OF 8:00 P.M. TUESDAY, MARCH 23

Villanova University

CORRECTIONS

Continued from p.1

COVID-19 TRACKER

Worldwide

Courtesy of Villanova University

Number of Tests and Confirmed Positive Cases by Day at Villanova

University Organizations Host Discussion on Anti-Asian Racism Jack Birle

Staff Writer

In light of recent increases in anti-Asian hate crimes, several University organizations united to host a discussion on anti-Asian violence.

The event was held on Thursday, Mar. 25 via Zoom and featured several speakers and opportunities for attendees to share their experiences with anti-Asian racism.

The discussion was hosted by several University organizations, including the Asian Studies Program, ASCEND, the Chinese Student Association, the Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies, the Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority and the South Asian Multicultural Organized Student Organization.

One of the first speakers was the University’s Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Adele Lindenmeyr, Ph.D. Lindenmeyr expressed support for the discussion and for hearing the experiences of others as it relates to anti-Asian racism.

“I am attending the listen and learn,” Lindenmeyr said. “I am looking forward to learning from this event so that the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences can take some informed steps to continue to improve inclusion and the climate at the University at large.”

The discussion included the recent rise of anti-Asian hate crimes,

along with the history of anti-Asian racism and the “model minority” myth.

The recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes have been attributed to some members of the public blaming the novel coronavirus on Asian Americans.

Recently, there have been several attacks against Asian Americans in San Francisco, an attack on an Asian American family in a Texas Sam’s Club store and the recent shooting in Atlanta, which left six Asian women dead.

As of Tuesday night, Atlanta police have yet to find a motive for the shooting in several spas but believe sex addiction to be a more likely cause than anti-Asian racism.

Historic events against Asian Americans were also talked about in the discussion, including the Chinese Exclusion Act and Former President Roosevelt’s executive order 9066, which sent Japanese Americans to internment camps during World War II.

The model minority myth was explained to be an expectation that Asian Americans are a minority group who are all successful and have no struggles in society or need for any type of assistance.

Attendees of the event were also encouraged to discuss the model minority myth in the first of three breakout rooms. The breakout rooms were created with a moderator and

allowed for all attendees to share their experiences and their understanding of issues facing the Asian American communities.

Junior Kaitlyn Quijano discussed the idea of intergenerational trauma and how it affects the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

“This internalization of suffering and trauma that resides in this collectivist mindset that is very much a part and is ingrained in Asian culture,” Quijano said. “This idea of balance and harmony within family dynamics that we don’t want to disrupt and this can lead to bottling up and suppressing negative feelings for the sake of ‘saving face.’”

Quijano also talked about the pressure from not wanting to be a failure within Asian families and how mental health is stigmatized in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. She mentioned that Asian Americans are three times less likely to seek help with mental health compared to white Americans.

The discussion featured several other speakers including other students and professors from the University who discussed several issues facing the Asian American community.

The event ended with closing remarks hoping to curb anti-Asian racism by advocating for attendees to not be passive by-standers and to stop hate against Asian Americans when they witness it.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Women in Politics Event Nicole Celis Staff Writer

On Mar. 25, IGNITE at the University partnered with its Temple University counterpart for a panel of Women in Philadelphia Politics.

IGNITE is a national organization designed to empower young women of all backgrounds to become political leaders in the future. Panelists included Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez of Philadelphia and Quetcy Lozada, who is her former Chief of Staff and current Vice President of Community Engagement and Organizing at Esperanza Inc. It also hosted former Digital Associate for Biden of America, Ashton Adams and current staff attorney at Community Legal Services, Chi-Ser Tran.

The panel included questions from the event organizers that varied from their favorite forms of self care to how to navigate being a woman in their field.

They all agreed that it is hard to immediately become immersed in the political field when so many politicians are men or individuals who are not people of color. One of their biggest pieces of advice was to find a strong mentor in the field.

Lozada recommended assembling a “kitchen cabinet of really strong women” that you can always go to for help. She emphasized the importance of a support group and finding people who can relate to your own experiences.

Quiñones-Sanchez told a story in which a former partner

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told her that she could not be a mother, a full time college student and aspiring politician all at once.

So what did she do? She became the first Latina woman to get into Philadelphia politics, and she would like to thank former President Barack Obama for making community organizing popular again.

All of the women agreed with the idea of imposter syndrome, which occurs when everyone in their field does not look like them. They shared anecdotes of being mistaken for an intern or a translator, which highlights the intersectionality that all of the panelists recognized exists within our identities. This was a difficult barrier for many of them to get past, especially because sometimes it felt to them that, as women in politics, they were valued less.

They all had important pieces of advice that they wish to share with their younger selves and the young women that are interested in politics today. Adams wished that her younger self understood that her career will not be linear and that it is okay to not know what comes next.

Quetcy Lozada and Chi-Ser Tran agreed that they needed to believe in themselves and their skill sets.

Quiñones-Sanchez was always told that she was “sassy at the mouth” growing up, and she always wanted to be right. Instead, she now recognizes that it is more important for other people to recognize one’s opinion than try to change theirs. They also want women in politics to not be afraid to stand up for themselves in the workplace.

Student Life VP Named Sarah Wisniewski Co-News Editor

respect. From 1993 to 2000, Byrnes served as the Sexual Harassment Complaint Officer. She was also

Kathleen J. Byrnes, J.D. has heavily involved in the creation of the been announced as the Vice President Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator for Student Life and will begin her team and many of the University’s position April 1, 2021. The position Title IX policies. works to oversee the University’s Di “While Kathy’s professional vision of Student Life and assist other experience and contributions to Villadepartments in any area pertaining nova University speak for themselves, to student-related activity on campus. it is her genuine care and concern for Rev. John P. Stack, O.S.A. held the students that make her ideally suitposition prior to Byrnes and will be ed to this position,” Donohue said. retiring after 50 years of service to the “While a candid, fierce and tireless University. advocate for students, it is her unas Byrnes previously served suming and often unknown acts of as the University’s Associate Vice support for Villanova students, faculty President for Student Life and has and staff that truly sets her apart. It is been with the University for 30 years. clear she is passionate about helping She was the co-founder of the Unishape the Villanova experience.” versity’s learning communities and

Byrnes is also an alumna of coordinated the Safe Zone on camthe University, earning her bachelor’s pus. The training program works to degree in Psychology and Honors in provide support and resources to the 1982. She received her master’s deLGBTQIA+ community on campus. gree in Theology in 2006. Byrnes also

“I am humbled by the oppor- attended Duke University School of tunity to serve Villanova University Law and received her juris doctorate. and our students in this new capacity,” She worked in the field as a corporate Byrnes said. “Villanova has shaped litigator with firms in Washington, the person I’ve become—both during D.C. and Philadelphia. The Univermy own college years and more sity welcomed Byrnes back in 1989 recently as a professional. I will do my as an instructor at the University’s utmost to serve and meet the evolving Charles Widger School of Law. She needs of our students in ways that will officially joined the Office of Student allow each member to flourish.”

Life in 1991.

The University has been

Byrnes also serves as Board honored to have Byrnes work closely Chair of the Association of Student with student life, but her work extends Affairs at Catholic Colleges and well beyond that. The incoming Vice Universities, which works to promote President has worked closely with exploration and sharing of knowledge parent engagement, sustainability, to extend holistic student developcompliance and ethics initiatives. ment founded on Catholic missions,

Byrnes has also worked closely values and identity. ASACCU hosts with the University’s Student Life an annual conference for Student initiative to prevent sexual violence Affairs practitioners and the Univerand maintain a community of mutual sity hosted in the summer of 2020.

Student Government Association Hosts Town Hall Katie Reed Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Mar. 24, the University’s Student Government Association (SGA) held a Community First Town Hall webinar via Zoom at 6 p.m. The student association invited students to attend and ask any questions related to the handling of COVID-19 on campus. The event invited University administrators to be panelists and help answer student questions. These panelists included Dean of Students Tom DeMarco and Associate Vice President for Student Life Kathy Byrnes and Associate Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Randy Weinstein.

The webinar was facilitated by Caroline Levine, the current Vice President and recently elected President of SGA for next year and Maggie Emamzadeh, a Liberal Arts Senator for SGA. Students had to register to attend the event.

When students pre-registered for the webinar they were asked in advance to include any questions that they wanted answered during the Town Hall. Levine and Emamzadeh took turns asking these questions to the panelists, while also allowing students to pose questions in the chat function of Zoom to be brought up later.

The meeting began with highlighting the work done by the

Community First Committee over the summer of 2020 in order to allow students to come back to campus in the fall.

“The Community First Committee is a group of students, administrators and staff that meet weekly to discuss Community First initiatives and the Caritas Commitment,” Levine said. “The committee ensures that the student perspective remains at the center of all decisions being made regarding Villanova’s response to COVID-19, and also gives students the opportunity to provide valuable feedback about what life on campus is like.”

The Town Hall meeting provided yet another way for students to be placed at the forefront of the COVID-19 policies being enacted on campus. Many of the questions that surfaced were related to mental health, especially in response to the working breaks. Students have voiced the need for more mental health assistance during the semester.

“Many students are feeling incredibly burnt out after such a long semester without a break, despite the four days of working breaks we were offered,” Emamzadeh said. “As we have heard from many students, not everyone found the working breaks as effective as they were supposed to be, and we brought up this concern to the administrators at the Town Hall. Having the opportunity to directly voice these concerns was very

helpful and we appreciated our panelists being receptive to our feedback, not only about the working breaks but other COVID policies as well.”

Other questions that were brought up involved the increase in surveillance testing, and the panelists explained that students can expect to be tested every one to two weeks to make sure the University catches any cases before they become a problem. There were also concerns over students getting charged for diagnostic tests at the Health Center, but these tests are covered by health insurance. The University has also been identified as a vaccination site, so as soon as PA rolls out more vaccines, the panelists assured us that the University will be ready to get vaccines underway.

Many students are eager to get back to normal, and the academic calendar released for Fall 2021 seems to bring us back there, though it is tentative.

“Our panelists were able to share their thoughts on what our fall semester will look like, and while it might not be the most satisfying answer, the reality is that it’s too early to know exactly what the semester will look like,” Levine said. “We can get back to ‘normal’ in the same way that we’ve gotten this far, by making smart decisions and continuing to put each other first.”

Overall, the Town Hall meeting was a success.

“We had a really good turnout and felt like a lot of students were pleased with the event as well,” Emamzadeh said. “We think that overall the event was a great way for students to hear from administrators about Community First initiatives and policies, and we hope that everyone in attendance found it insightful.”

Emamzadeh also mentioned that a way to improve this event would be to record it next time and share answers to questions that they could not get to on Instagram to ensure that even students who could not go had access to that information.

SGA hosted a Community First Town Hall.

Courtesy of Villanova SGA

4 | The Villanovan

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Wednesday, March 31, 2021

AstraZeneca Vaccine Faces Setbacks in FDA Approval Alexandra Spath Staff Writer

The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca released new efficacy results Wednesday, which showed the company’s vaccine to be highly effective in protecting against COVID-19. The new data comes after a report on Monday, which presented promising results but was called into question by an independent panel at the National Institutes of Health.

The original data released by the company on Monday demonstrated that the AstraZeneca vaccine had a 79 percent efficacy rate, putting it on par with the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines already in distribution in the United States and making it a contender for emergency use approval by the FDA.

However, just hours after the release of this data, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) released a statement calling the report into question, suggesting that AstraZeneca had excluded its most recent findings from the trial in order to make the vaccine look better.

“AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of the efficacy data,” the report from the NIAID stated. “We urge the company to work with the [Data and Safety Monitoring Board] to review the efficacy data and ensure the most accurate, up-to-date efficacy data be made public as quickly as possible.”

In a press briefing by the White House COVID-19 Response Team on March 24, Dr. Anthony Fauci elaborated on how “the Data and Safety Monitoring Board was quite concerned that the data that was reflected in the press release was not the most recent updated data that was more accurately reflective of what the vaccine efficacy point was.”

It is highly unusual for U.S. health officials to formally rebuke pharmaceutical companies for publishing inaccurate information. AstraZeneca responded to the report by releasing an updated version of their trial findings on Wednesday, which showed a slightly lower efficacy rate of 76 percent.

Issues with the data published by AstraZeneca have damaged the faith of U.S. regulators and the general public in both

the company’s integrity and the trustworthiness of its vaccine.

However, the AstraZeneca vaccine is currently being used widely in Europe and several other countries around the world.

The AstraZeneca vaccine also has faced recent scrutiny in Europe after a small portion of those who had received the shot developed blood clots, prompting more than 20 countries to stop their distribution of the vaccine.

Most of these countries have resumed distribution after further investigations found no definite links between the AstraZeneca vaccine and the blood clot incidents, but public concern about the safety of the vaccine has grown as a result of the scare.

Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are moving quickly towards meeting the demand for vaccines in the United States.

As of Mar. 27, 27 percent of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 14.7 percent is fully vaccinated.

It is unclear if there will be any significant demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine in the United States should it receive FDA approval, as it likely would not become available until May. President Joe Biden, in a press briefing on March 18, announced that the U.S. is already “on track to have enough vaccines — enough vaccine supply for every adult American by the end of May — months — months earlier than anyone expected.”

Despite the setbacks the company has faced, AstraZeneca is expected to apply in the next few weeks for emergency use authorization from the FDA, which would allow the vaccine to start being distributed in the United States.

AstraZeneca experiences troubles with their receivng FDA approval for their COVID-19 vaccine.

Courtesy of Reuters

President Biden Holds His First Press Conference in Office Garrett Whitton Staff Writer

The tweeting, or what seems to have been squawking, of political birds in Washington D.C. has ceased on Twitter. The use of press conferences has resumed, allowing American citizens to receive direct information from the President himself rather than a social media account.

Last Thursday, Mar. 25, President Joe Biden participated in his first press conference as leader of the free world. Before taking questions, he began by greeting those in attendance and briefing them on what has occurred during the first 65 days of his administration.

He noted that by day 58, his teams had vaccinated 100 million Americans, which he initially hoped to have done by late April or early May. Being ahead of schedule has allowed him to set another ambitious goal of vaccinating 200 million people by his hundredth day. He then said that, due to the rapid vaccine distribution, nearly half of all K-8 schools are open for in-person learning, five days a week.

Biden concluded his opening remarks by updating the press on his American Rescue Plan, an emergency legislative package

that funds vaccinations, provides immediate, direct relief to families bearing the pandemic’s negative impacts and supports struggling communities. He then began taking questions from reporters he had chosen prior to the event. The following questions, asked mostly by left-leaning news sources, addressed his promises on gun control, climate change, immigration rights, voting rights and other civil liberties that he had made during his 2020 campaign.

Getting information about the current immigration issues at the Mexican border seems to have been the main focus for many reporters. While talking about it, the President jabbed at former President Donald Trump’s shortcomings in his relationship with Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the President of Mexico, and said that negotiations between him and the new administration are ongoing.

Biden then shared his reactions to the pictures taken at the immigration facilities along the U.S.-Mexican border. After expressing how sickening he thought they were, Biden spoke on the conditions at Fort Bliss. It is the second-largest U.S. Army installation and is currently being used to house many people trying to cross the border.

Reporters also asked questions regarding the status of different foreign relationships.

Biden expressed that North Korea is the main threat the United States is focused on as the U.S. government continues to push for denuclearization. However, the President made it clear that the United States is keeping tabs on other countries such as China by maintaining tariffs, which will help hold China accountable for any actions they may take. Finally, Biden was asked about the progress made toward withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. His original plan was to have most, if not all, out by May 1. But unfortunately, the administration will not meet this deadline due to ongoing problems. “We will leave,” Biden said. “The question is when will we leave.”

The concern then turned to gun control and how the President has reacted to the mass shootings seen recently in Georgia and Colorado. Once he displayed his disgust, Biden passively switched the topic by mentioning that some presidents are successful because they know how to time what they are doing. They give orders and make decisions based on priorities. That said, he believes that the path to stricter gun control will come after the rebuilding of physical and technological infrastructure.

Another topic that reporters touched on was voting rights.

After being asked about the different Republican legislatures working to pass bills that would restrict voting rights, Biden expressed how “un-American” he thinks the initiative is. He followed by condemning different situations seen at polling locations and wrapped up his comments boldly saying,

“This makes Jim Crow look like Jim Eagle,” Biden said.

Biden’s press conference updated all Americans on most issues at hand. He believes his administration is doing a fantastic job leading the country through a tough time and claims that he was elected to solve the problems left behind by his predecessor. At one point, the President sarcastically joked about how he misses Trump and the issues he created. Nonetheless, his main objective is to lead the United States out of the pandemic and move forward with the promises made during his campaign.

Biden speaks at the press conference.

Courtesy of AP Photo, Evan Vucci

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

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OPINION

Biden and Vaccines: Promises Made, Promises Kept Joe Adams Staff Writer Continued from p.1

amazing work of scientists around the world.

There were also fears about distribution, and although there have been a few bumps in the road along the way, we’re moving at an extremely fast pace. We should be thankful for the work that President Biden is doing, along with his team of scientific experts, because our country is quite literally being saved by their quick response. Sure, things could always be moving faster or smoother, but it could be much worse without the help of these vaccines.

I must emphasize just how different it feels to be able to trust the words of our president. Instead of daily lies, mixed messages and egotistical responses, we have a president who truly cares about the American people. President Biden works for us, not for himself, and this is something that every president should strive to do.

In early March, Biden also addressed the nation, giving us hope for a brighter future by July 4. In his speech, he stated that “there is a good chance” that we would be able to gather and celebrate Independence Day this year.

“After a long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day

Biden reached goal of 100 million vaccines in 58 days.

Courtesy of Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

truly special –– where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said.

Again, this is great to hear, but I also still find myself skeptical of this promise. In three months, part of me finds it hard to believe that our country will almost be back to normal.

But, Biden kept his first

promise, so for now, we’ll have to trust him with this statement. Hopefully, in a few short months, we will all be celebrating as we near the end of a long struggle with COVID-19.

It will be worth the wait to see friends and family members gathered together –– not having to worry about the virus for the first time in a long time.

Above all, it is imperative

that we all get vaccinated when given the opportunity. More states are opening vaccine eligibility to all adults in the United States, so be on the lookout for information from your home state. And most importantly, keep masking up and social distancing until we’re in the clear.

There’s only a few more months to go, but I know we can do this –– together.

Spring Break and the Tourism Problem in Miami Beach Derek Ramirez Jerez Staff Writer

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has a large list of effects, and the sudden urge for thousands of people to party during their spring breaks in Miami Beach only makes that list even longer.

On March 20, Miami Beach officials announced a countywide 8 p.m. curfew, aiming to minimize the crowds of restless partygoers that have flocked to Florida for spring break.

This influx was seemingly sparked due to the restrictions placed because of the coronavirus, causing many to lose vacation plans over the last year.

But, as with most COVID-19 restrictions, many did not abide by them, as the same maskless groups of people caused destruction to many Miami Beach restaurant owners and locals the day after. Why can’t people just stay home?

I spoke to a friend about this who has travelled to Miami Beach over the past week, and another time earlier in the month, and I asked him for his perspective.

“My sister lives there, and I felt like I needed to do something,” he said. “I feel like the last year of my life was taken away, you know? I just wanted to have fun.”

What many with this mindset do not realize is that more time from their lives will be taken away if they do not abide by the restrictions laid out. Travelling is known to cause

an increase in cases. Florida saw an increase from almost 3000 cases per day on March 22 to now almost 5000-6000 cases each day since then.

This is a direct result of the influx of tourists over the past week, and all it does is further prolong the pandemic and restrictions that are “taking their life away.”

What is more disappointing is the fact that Miami advertisers spent $5 million on a campaign to promote tourism, their biggest national advertising campaign in 20 years, according to AP News. They are partially at fault for the increase in tourism, as this greedy attempt to recoup money lost from the pandemic directly encourages people to travel during a global pandemic. However, the responsibility greatly falls on the people buying into this.

The vacationers are solely to blame for this. Advertising might entice them, but most of these people are full-grown adults, and the responsibility of upholding COVID-19 restrictions should override any desire to travel. This does not excuse the thousands of out-of-state adult tourists causing mayhem in a place where they do not live.

Along with the 8 p.m. curfew, officials banned alcohol from the beach, disallowed the sale of alcohol after 10 p.m. and sent threatening messages telling tourists to “Vacation Responsibly or Be Arrested,” according to AP News.

Miami Beach needs to enforce a stricter curfew, and it has done this

Miami Beach faced an influx of tourists during spring break.

Courtesy of Miami Beach Police

to an extent. It has employed military vehicles and armored police officers to make arrests on those breaking curfew, but this was done days after many tourists already caused property damage to the same restaurants that benefit from them after losing money.

This should have come immediately, especially since the crowds seem to mainly be out-of-state tourists mindlessly gathering, thinking that anything goes. The laughably threatening messages do not deter anyone, and the curfew does not do anything unless it is enforced by the personnel they employed.

Tourist spots around the country need to take what happened

in Miami Beach as an example to immediately enforce strict guidelines to slow down the progression of the pandemic. People may oppose them, but allowing your community to be continuously destroyed before any action from officials simply brews more conflict.

People just need to have patience. The more they travel and break COVID-19 guidelines, the more their life gets taken away. Ways to maintain the virus are progressing, evident in the increasing number of vaccinations, so why not just postpone that trip to Miami when there are no restrictions in the near future?

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

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 exAssociate Editor-in-Chief ceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonyous letters will be published. All submissions become Opinion Editor property of The Villanovan and are subject to Opinion Editor editing for clarity and space.

CATE McCUSKER Editor-in-Chief JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN

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 auhtors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.

The Importance of Preserving the Filibuster Steven Makino Staff Writer

President Joe Biden’s main theme on the campaign trail was centered around unity and how he intends to be a leader for all Americans, but it is evident that this promise has been pushed to the sidelines with each passing day.

The Democratic Party –– with a 50-50 party split Senate and Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote –– intends to make use of its control over the White House and Congress to push forward a rather progressive agenda.

On paper, it would seem as though the stars have aligned in its favor; however, there is one major obstacle that stands in the way of its partisan agenda: the filibuster.

This Senate procedure is the last line of defense for the Republican Party to have significant input in future legislation, and almost all Democrats are on board with eliminating this process. Taking such action would not only contradict the Biden Administration’s call for unity, which he clearly conveyed in his Inaugural Address, but would also be a reckless move that would disregard the opinions of millions of Americans and further the division in the nation.

The filibuster is a more than 200 hundred-year-old pro-

cedure that allows any Senator to stall or block a law from being ratified by extending debate on the issue with a 60-vote threshold needed to bypass the process.

This procedure essentially serves as a check to a total partisan takeover from either party and allows for the minority party to have a meaningful say in the legislative process. Its ultimate goal is for both parties to come to a compromise on issues in a way that demonstrates true bipartisanship.

However, this valuable procedure, regardless of party affiliation, is at risk of total elimination by Democrats who are blinded by its longterm effects.

As of now, Democratic senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are the only people preventing the removal of the filibuster, as they both have taken a firm stance against ridding the procedure. Despite immense pressure not only from their Democratic colleagues but also many mainstream media networks, both have remained committed to allowing for the minority party to have a say in legislation, as they see the value of compromise as well as the ramifications of this action.

Without the filibuster, the minority party would essentially be at the mercy of the majority party in the Senate with no power to stop or have input in legislation. On top of this, this

step would lead to bitterness, as millions of people and their ideals would be rendered irrelevant as the majority party is free to push almost any policy with a simple majority. An example of the future that lies ahead is the recent $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill which was pushed with absolutely no Republican support or meaningful attempt at the sort through budget reconciliation.

Republicans raised valid concerns that are worth at least some attention, such as potential massive inflation and overall wasteful spending that would plunge the country in even greater debt, but to no avail. While Democrats see this as the way to move forward, they also do not realize that this could easily come back to haunt them. as the ever-increasing possibility of the Republicans regaining control of the Senate would immediately turn the tables on them.

This issue is one that will likely be at the forefront for the foreseeable future, as during his first press conference this past Thursday, President Biden had agreed that the filibuster was “a relic of the Jim Crow era,” and it is likely that he will also aim to rid the Senate of it to further his own policies. This is the case even though he had been a passionate defender of the filibuster during his time as a senator as in 2005.

He gave a speech saying, “At its core, the filibuster is not about stopping a nominee or a bill –– it’s about compromise and moderation.” But now, the filibuster is deemed as racist by him as well as many members of his party. Was it considered racist back when Democrats filibustered South Carolina Senator Tim Scott’s (the only African American GOP senator) police reform bill last year? This blatant hypocrisy only serves to further highlight how desperate the Democrats are to gain the power needed to cram their legislation into law.

At the end of the day, this issue is one that will inevitably affect both parties as well as the American public in negative ways.

Putting an end to filibuster would only serve to divide the country further following last year’s chaotic election, and it would lead to the opposite of what President Biden had envisioned for his presidency.

For now, we can only hope that senators Manchin and Sinema will not succumb to the enormous pressure of their party and the media and stay firm in preserving a sense of democratic debate and compromise.

The world should learn from the British and eschew default precaution in favor of rigorous cost-benefit analysis both through the end of the pandemic and beyond.

How Villanova Divided Our Campus With Snitch Culture Kate Blazejewski Staff Writer

“I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget Bishop with the Devil! I saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil! I saw Goody Sibber with the Devil!”

Does this sound familiar? Either you read Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” in high school, or can just replace “with the Devil” with “at the Courts” or “without a mask.”

If you haven’t read “The Crucible,” it is a story about empty allegations and accusations brought on by an environment of fear and conformity during the Salem Witch Trials. If this strikes a chord with you, it might be because of the toxic “snitch culture” environment that plagues college campuses all over the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once-united campuses are increasingly divided as students feel the need to look over their shoulders in fear of another student “snitching” on them. The resemblance between “The Crucible” and Vil-

lanova campus culture is uncanny – all thanks to something called the “Community Concerns Referral page.” Students now have the platform to essentially accuse their classmates of anything, even if it is simply because they personally don’t like them.

This is absolutely not intended to underplay the importance of campus and community safety during a worldwide pandemic. My concern is the possibility of students abusing this page for personal gain.

While we can only assume that this toxic culture is merely an unintended consequence of Villanova creating the Community Concerns Referral page, the very existence of this page encourages a divide between students. I fear this page is being taken advantage of more than it is being used for its intended purpose of promoting overall campus safety and wellness by following COVID-19 restrictions.

The page is instead being abused with the incentive of fulfilling one’s own personal vendetta by being able to submit reports of restrictions being broken without any proof.

One student, who chooses

to remain anonymous out of fear for his or her reputation in this toxic environment, tells the story of how they were called to the Dean of Students for a meeting because another student submitted a report against them.

“Like most readers, I came to Villanova because of the tight knit, loyal community many students feel when visiting campus –– a fact Villanova never fails to promote,” the student said. “It therefore came as a surprise to me when I received an unfounded report from the Dean’s office claiming, ‘large gatherings’ and music in my room. The irony of the situation is that I was home during the week I received the report. Why then was it only my name listed? The only explanation was that somebody was purposefully targeting me.”

Another student, who also chooses to remain anonymous, tells a similar story.

“I was called in by the Dean of Students for a meeting because someone sent in photos from my social media, accusing my friends and I going to dinner during the ‘Slow the Spread’ directive,” the student

said. “However, the pictures on my social media were posted before the directive and the dinner itself took place weeks before I even posted them. It genuinely felt like a personal attack.”

Although the Community Concerns Referral page was started

by Villanova with the intentions of increasing overall safety and wellness on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the very premise of asking students to police each other is incredibly divisive and disruptive to campus life. Villanova is promoting a sense of “snitch culture,” which is encouraging students to turn against each other.

In this trying time, campus unity is more important than ever.

Once again, this is not to underplay the importance of health and wellness and following COVID-19 restrictions, but relying on college students to essentially “tattle” on their peers is a very slippery slope.

We need to work together as a community to keep our campus safe during this pandemic, but the societal effects of this “witch hunt” for rule breakers are detrimental to the environment on campus.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

OPINION

The Villanovan | 7

Coping With Violence and Promoting a Safe Environment Margot Giuliano Staff Writer

The horrific news that a rape occurred on campus created a feeling of uncertainty and confusion and left many of us feeling unsafe. Violence is an act of anger often unprovoked and never productive. By nature, it leaves destruction in its wake –– equate it to the force of a tornado ripping through a community and the ensuing chaos.

The chaos doesn’t only affect the individual who has been victimized. It leaves the surrounding community grateful, yet guilty, to be spared. There is an underlying fear that violence could happen again and maybe to you. The chaos creates a protectiveness that fiercely surrounds the victim and the most vulnerable. It demands that changes be made.

So, how do we change?

Be supportive and be available to listen. If you can’t imagine how the victim feels, don’t say you do. Admit it. Ask what you can do to help.

Be sure to follow through.

If you are not directly involved but feel shaken and threatened, speak with someone you trust.

This can be a friend, but it doesn’t

have to be. If you still need help, use one of the many resources that Villanova offers. This is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength and personal responsibility.

It empowers you to move forward.

It alleviates the paralysis that can come from fear. You may still be wary, but you are able to live and thrive once again.

Pragmatically, all should be aware of simple safety measures.

Men and women should carry personal protective devices. Amazon has many of these for sale, primarily sound devices and pepper sprays. All effectively help give time to move to safety when walking alone and alert others to the need for action.

Never be afraid to call 911 if you are in danger and can do so or if you hear such a call for help.

The police would rather come for a false alarm than deal with the aftermath of violence.

Have a “buddy,” someone who you are comfortable sharing your plans with and who has your back. If you go out with a friend, your buddy will know if you don’t come back on time and can contact you to be sure that all is well.

If you party, a designated driver is always important. That individual is also a safety net, one

who should know if the group is safely participating. Individuals make poor decisions when drinking, so do not be afraid to confront your friends in a loving way to encourage them to make good choices.

Consider getting outside help if necessary –– are you a traitor? No, a caring and concerned friend is willing to do the hard work.

This extends as well to interpersonal relationships in the dorm and apartment community in which you live. In these settings, we are all designated drivers. Depression and identity crises also make people unsafe. Personal coping skills can create a vulnerability to violence. Ask for help if you need it.

Encourage your friend to get help if he or she needs it and you are unable to provide it yourself. There is no desire to betray a relationship whether close or casual. This is a sign of strength and caring.

When providing support to help a friend feel safe, it is important to not be destructive to others.

The worst way to create a safe and inclusive environment is to lash out in pain and destructive behavior, whether you are hurting yourself or the perpetrator. Violence of thought and deed are not cured by more violence.

You will encounter people

who feel differently for a variety of reasons and with which you nor your friend agree. Listen carefully.

Even if you are not being treated respectfully, try to understand.

Why? It provides inroads to a dialog that will contribute to a safe environment.

Be kind to yourself. If you cannot deal with what you are hearing, separate yourself from the situation. Preferably do this by physically leaving, but at the least, distance yourself emotionally so you do not feel abused. Follow through – examine your feelings, share them and again, ask for help if the problem is beyond your ability to deal with it.

Overcoming violence and providing a safe environment is difficult. We can do it by working together and reaching out to one another. The beauty of attending a faith-based institution is the ability to step back and openly contemplate what Christ would do. His mandate “Love one another as I have loved you” isn’t as easy as it sounds. It may feel insurmountable when feeling hurt and abused but is a guaranteed way to survive.

We journey together, not alone. We overcame many challenges with COVID-19. We can do this.

David Dobrik Under Fire for Sexual Assault Claims Caroline Kaynor Staff Writer

David Dobrik and the “Vlog Squad,” one of the most prominent social media groups of our generation, are currently under heat in light of newly surfaced sexual assault allegations. Dobrik and his squad rose to YouTube fame in 2017, trademarked by their fast-paced, half scripted videos, and have since accumulated 18.9 million subscribers. However, nearly 100,000 of those subscribers have been lost since Insider published an investigation earlier this month regarding rape allegations against Dom Zeglaitis, a former member of the Vlog Squad.

While the recent controversies surrounding Dobrik and the Vlog Squad play into the vicious pattern of men abusing power to take advantage of women, they also bring to light a new, equally severe pattern that our generation is the first to face. Though devastating, Dobik and the Vlog Squad serve as a principle example of what happens when wealth and fame are acquired too young, too quickly and too publicly.

A college student at the time, a woman who chooses to stay anonymous under the alias “Hannah” went with her friends to hang out with the Vlog Squad and film a video in 2018. In the since deleted video, titled “SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED WITH FIRE!!,” Zeglaitis (nicknamed Durte Dom) jokes that he invited four of the girls over to have a foursome. Because Zeglaitis is overtly sexual in his online presence, the women were unsure if he was being serious or not, but were

David Dobrik and the Vlog Squad are under controversy for sexual assault allegations.

Courtesy of David Dobrik/YouTube.com

“up for an adventure.” However, adventure turned trauma for Hannah as she became incapacitated by alcohol the Vlog Squad provided, since she and her friends were not of legal drinking age.

In an interview with Insider, Hannah “accused Zeglaitis of rape by engaging in sexual activity with her that night while she was so incapacitated by alcohol that she could not consent.” While Zeglaitis has since declined to comment, Dobrik released a video in response titled “Let’s talk.” In the video, Dobrik emphasizes his value of consent and explains why he chose to distance himself from people like Zeglaitis, whose misconduct and behavior has caused

perfuse disappointment.

While it is easy to categorize this as the latest example of power abuse or “cancel culture,” Hannah’s experience with Durte Dom and Dobrik’s Vlog Squad is one that speaks to a new issue unique to our generation. Dobrik and Durte Dom were both on the cusp of their twenties when they quickly rose to wealth and fame through platforms like Vine, Twitter and YouTube. Dobrik, Durte Dom and the entire Vlog Squad have arguably acquired more money and fame in a shorter period of time than others before them.

Both blessed and cursed with social media as their plat-

form, the gang (as well as other internet famous icons) no longer have to deal with extended waits of contacts, agents or producers.

For the first time ever, wealth and fame can be as easily and quickly acquired as uploading a video. As platforms of social and sharing media have continued to grow, so have influencers’ net worths.

While Dobrik himself has used his influence largely for good, such as Tesla giveaways and large sum donations to organizations such as Black Lives Matter, generosity is not always the case.

The instantaneous fame celebrities are able obtain overnight in this day in age removes the waiting period not just for the mechanics of the entertainment industry and the opportunity for a rising celebrity to learn how to handle, cope and adjust to fame.

This is unfortunately the case with Durte Dom. On that regrettable night that Hannah and her friends came over to film, his taking advantage of fame and influence unfortunately manifested itself into taking advantage of Hannah.

The accusation against Durte Dom is not an example of “cancel culture” and cannot be excused with “boys will be boys,” as society has prescribed similar accusations for too long. It is an example of a new influencer epidemic our generation is facing. Hannah’s story is a testimony to all of those who will follow, and society’s response to accusations today will determine the fate of events of the future.

It is the users of the internet and social media that promoted Dobrik and his Vlog Squad’s fame, and it is up to the same group to determine repercussions for Durte Dom’s actions.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

OPINION

8 | The Villanovan

The Importance of TikTok’s ‘97%’ Trend Rachel Reiniger Staff Writer

A new TikTok trend has emerged in light of Sarah Everard’s murder and the #MeToo movement.

Data published on March 10 found 97% of women in the U.K. between the ages of 18 and 24 have experienced some form of sexual harassment in public. This includes cat-calling, excessive staring, being groped, receiving unsolicited suggestive content online and more.

This shocking study, paired with the recent tragedy of the Everard’s murder in the U.K. while walking home, has propelled a trend for women to share the moment they became a part of the ‘97%.’

What’s even more shocking is the same study found that of the 97% of women that had an experience, more than 95% did not report it because they felt like it would not change anything.

While the movement on TikTok started as women taking their power back and sharing their experience to show other women they are not alone, the movement’s backlash and counteractive “Not All Men” movement have flooded its comments. Let’s get one thing straight: it’s pretty obvious that not every single man is sexually harassing women. This “Not All Men” movement is not reassuring to women. In fact, it’s a slap in the face. It takes away from females speaking out on their experiences, and it belittles the clearly enormous issue at hand.

Denial and stealing the spotlight from women’s stories does absolutely nothing for a progressing

movement. While it’s common sense that not all men are predators, the question all men should be asking themselves in relation to this movement is, am I doing everything in my power to try and make women feel more comfortable? And, are my friends doing the same? Tolerance of this behavior is what prolongs the normalization and increases instances of sexual harassment. In conclusion, while it’s not all men, it’s nearly all women.

Amongst the “Not All Men’’ comments on TikTok, there are even more people heavily doubting the statistic, and some going so far as to discredit individual women’s stories. I’ve been following Everard’s story and the ‘97%’ trend for a while now, but one woman’s TikTok and the comments she received particularly struck me. After sharing her incredibly difficult and powerful story, some men left comments doubting that someone would harass her because she was not personally appealing to them. That’s when the severity of the desensitized way we speak about women really hit me. I was infuriated and disgusted enough to ultimately write this article.

Even in a place meant to highlight women’s experiences, there are comments equating her worth and validity with her appearance. These comments, attempting to discredit women, are actually proving the exact point this movement is making: hypersexualization and mistreatment of women is incredibly widespread and deserves the utmost attention. Why do people do this? Do they think it is funny, or does it make them feel better to negate that this is happening to this one individual woman? If their mother or sister told them the same

The #MeToo Movement and “97%” trend is raising awareness for sexual harassment.

Courtesy of Donna Rotunno/National Post

story, would they so callously claim they were lying?

For the people that do not question the individual stories but do doubt the statistic’s legitimacy, the time to express that doubt is not now, and especially not on a victim’s TikTok page. While the study was conducted with a small focus group in the U.K. and, therefore, the statistic cannot be applicable to a worldwide percentage, the exact number should not invalidate the movement itself. Immediately after hearing women’s collective stories, if you find yourself searching for ways in which the statistic is wrong instead of asking for ways to help, you have completely missed the point.

For some, scrambling to invalidate this statistic can serve as evidence

of guilt and panic, and, for others, pure naivety and genuine disbelief.

The outcome of both of these scenarios is the same: adding obstacles onto a long and rocky road women already have to face.

So, if you’re reading this as a part of the ‘97%,’ I am incredibly sorry that your experience is somehow twisted to be the norm in today’s culture. I encourage all women, part of the 97% or not, to engage in whatever type of dialogue they can to raise awareness and unify in light of this movement. And, if you are reading this as a man, anyone who is not aware of the movement or someone who finds the need to question its validity, please ask how you can contribute to a better and safer world for women.

Three Mile Island And The Case For Nuclear Energy Andrew Ceonzo Staff Writer

March 28 marked the 42nd anniversary of the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania and provides a good opportunity to explore the importance of nuclear energy in future efforts to stave off climate change.

Due to poor system design and human error, there was a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island that resulted in some radioactive material escaping. The accident bred fear and sowed distrust in nuclear technology among the public. The experience of the then-raging Cold War and nuclear weapons, plus the Chernobyl disaster seven years later, only further hurt nuclear power’s image in the eyes of the public.

While understandable, public fear and distrust of nuclear energy is unjustified.

According to the US Nuclear Regulation Commission, multiple comprehensive health studies have determined there were negligible health impacts on the environment and inhabitants surrounding Three Mile Island. Researchers, including the US NRC, government agencies, and third-party organizations, found no deaths that could be linked to the accident and that the approximately

two million residents near the plant were exposed to an increase of just one millerem of radiation above normal levels. For comparison, an average chest X-ray exposes you to around six millerem of radiation.

Nuclear is our safest, cleanest and least land-intensive form of energy. According to Our World in Data, nuclear energy is 263 times safer than oil in terms of deaths from accidents and air pollution. Our World in Data also reports that nuclear power plants emit 25 percent fewer tonnes of greenhouse gases per gigawatt-hour of electricity produced than wind turbines and 40 percent fewer than solar panel farms. According to Environmental Progress, in France, where nuclear energy accounts for around 70 percent of energy production, nuclear power plants require 240 times less land than solar and 1,050 times less land than wind to produce an equivalent amount of power. Such land savings allow for more space left to nature through conservation and reforestation.

While wind and solar power will certainly be important parts of US energy production going forward, rolling blackouts in California over the past few years and Texas’ recent calamity demonstrate that there can be issues when the sun stops shining, the winds stop blowing and there are severe adverse weather events. Nu-

clear power plants provide the critical reliable energy option to bolster renewable energy sources. For example, during Texas’ recent energy disaster, nuclear plants continued to provide around 75 percent of their target at the peak of the crisis and were quick to recover and meet their targets as fossil fuels and renewables continued to lag behind. Nuclear power will be a key component in achieving a well-rounded, reliable and green energy portfolio for the United States.

You may be wondering, if all of this is true, then why haven’t we rapidly expanded our nuclear capacity?

While there was a decline in new nuclear plant construction in the early 1970s, the Three Mile Island incident served as a catalyst for anti-nuclear activists and politicians to push a bevy of new regulations. Research has found that these regulatory changes from the early 1970s to the early 1980s increased the required amount of steel to build a plant by 41 percent, the amount of concrete by 27 percent, the number of electrical cables by 36 percent and the amount of piping by 50 percent. These changes increased the construction costs and project completion times for new plants.

Additionally, state and local regulators have provided unsteady guidance, contributing to cost overlays, increased investor risk and ballooning construc-

tion timelines for what are already complex, years-long projects. A more transparent and consistent regulatory environment that accounts for recent safety advancements in the nuclear energy field would reduce arbitrary costs and allow nuclear to be the green and economic solution it truly is.

The United States should also commit to supporting further nuclear research. Reactors currently function by harnessing the energy from nuclear fission, or the splitting of atoms. Researchers are getting closer to functioning nuclear fusion reactors, which would harness the energy of combining atoms. These reactors would use hydrogen, which is more abundant than the now used uranium while being less radioactive, less dangerous and resulting in less waste.

The United States should continue to fund research and support companies exploring improvements to nuclear fission reactors and potentially revolutionary fusion reactors to help ensure a green future.

The Three Mile Island accident left the public skeptical of nuclear power. This year, humanity is working to overcome vaccine hesitancy to help end the coronavirus pandemic. Overcoming nuclear skepticism will be just as important to usher in a green future and inoculate against the worst consequences of climate change.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 9

CULTURE

Villa-Vogue Fashion Feature: The History of the Corset Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer

For years, the corset garment has been tied to controversy. Emerging from the Western world in the early 16th century, the tight fitting undergarment wasn’t always the harmless regency style trend as we know it today. Corsets were long derided as a patriarchal instrument of torture that deformed the female body. Nowadays, the once degrading garment has transitioned to symbolize empowering women in fashion rather than binding them.

First off, let’s take a quick trip back to 1600 BC. Around this time, the corset started out as a sleeveless bodice that evolved into an undergarment with stays made of whalebone and steel that encircled the ribs in order to compress the natural waist. Why would someone ever agree to squeeze themselves between a sleeve of metal you may ask?

Two words - body image.

To this day, men and women struggle with body image. We’ve all been brought up watching television and viewing magazine covers that portray unrealistic expectations on how we should look. Everyone has had that moment when one looks in the mirror just to pinpoint something to change.

The business world loves this.

They take insecurities and eat them for breakfast, proceeding to invent a new and improved waist trainer that’s guaranteed to make one skinny or a new formula of mascara to make one pretty.

This is where the corset came in.

The shape of the corset changed throughout the centuries depending on what “style” of body type was in. Want a slimmer waist but bigger hips? Wear a corset. Want perkier boobs or no hips at all? Wear a corset.

The product relentlessly evolved between longer varieties that covered the upper thighs and shorter versions that centered around the waistline. From the hourglass shape popular in the 1800s to the “S’’ shape of the 1900s, corsets were meant to shape the body into distinct silhouettes depending on how women were supposed to look at the time.

The transition from corsets being malicious to an empowering fashion statement commenced as discussions arose about the detrimental effects they have on women’s health in the 19th century. The corset was at its peak and worn by all classes when the first negative claim came to public attention.

Doctors began blaming the corset for respiratory diseases, deformity of the ribs, damage to internal organs, birth defects and miscarriages. Needless to

say, they were not wrong.

During the 1960s, there was a sudden shift towards healthy lifestyles that led to the abandonment of the corset as an undergarment. While they may no longer be a part of the average woman’s everyday routine, they have never truly disappeared from fashion.

In the 1970’s, Vivienne Westwood began using corsets as part of her historicist punk aesthetic to promote the

professional body language etiquette is essential.

The most basic form of body language is the handshake. The handshake comes in many different forms, but the best type of grasp is the one that has a medium but assured grip.

“If your handshake can be mistaken as a light grace, you might be exposing a weak inner-being,” Forbes Magazine said. “In fact, many employers and business associates will see this as a sign that you lack confidence and ability in what you do.”

Forbes also dissected the opposing “bone-crusher” handshake, which expresses a sense of arrogance. The article also mentioned the necessity of good eye contact during a firm hand-

shake.

Handshakes are the gate into the professional world, and the subliminal messaging that comes across with the simple gesture can reveal a lot about a person.

In addition to the handshake, the professional world requires the basic forms of confident body language. According to Forbes, if someone is slouched, checking one’s phone or crossing one’s arms, it gives off a disinterested and unprofessional air.

In a LinkedIn article, Vani Kola of Kalaari dissected the art of workplace power posing. She used the famous TED Talk by Amy Cuddy titled, “Your body language shapes who you are” as reference.

empowerment of women. Since then, Stella McCartney, Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford and Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga experimented with corset-like tailoring in their designs. A big trend of 2021 is even wearing corsets over garments rather than under them to represent its evolution into a symbol of free female sexuality. This transition may be one of the most inspiring in the fashion world, arduous journey and all.

Bella Hadid sports the vintage 1970 Vivienne Westwood corset.

Courtesy of Vogue

What Does Your Body Language Say About You? Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

Body language is a human’s subconscious language. The touch of the nose, a hair tuck behind the ear, eye contact – all of these little movements attribute to how someone communicates with the world. While most people are not usually attune to what their body is inadvertently conversing, it often gives a more truthful reflection of someone’s thoughts than their words.

For college students, knowing how to read body language, as well as being aware of one’s own, is a critical tool for acing interviews, forming relationships and growing in one’s discernment.

One of the most trying challenges young adults face is trying to decipher an acquaintance’s potential romantic interest. People go to great lengths to hide how they really feel about someone, but luckily, the body reveals much about the person’s feelings. If there is ever a doubt about someone’s interest, see if the person displays any of these tells.

“A person who leans towards you or mirrors your body language is also demonstrating interest,” Psychology Today reports.

The website also attributes touches on the shoulder and an open posture to be signs of attraction.

Other than the tribulations of romance, understanding body language can also help students maneuver the professional world. The way one presents themselves in a conference room or an interview can make or break how people subconsciously analyze them, and it can determine whether or not a job is received or fellow employees give their respect. At a school where plenty of young adults are striving to succeed in multitudes of professional settings,

“Power posing is simply the adoption of expansive and open nonverbal postures,” Vani wrote. “From arms raised skyward in celebration, to the chest-thumping to the finger-pointing, their body language can communicate strongly what the individual stands for.”

Vani went on to elaborate on the TED Talk, which stated that implementing power poses like putting the hands on the hips with a proud chest or putting one’s hands on the edge of the table and leaning forward can not only assert confidence in others, but train one’s own brain to be confident in itself.

Body language does not only help foster a confident worker persona, but it can reveal the deep pain of others which, when attune to it, can help one grow in empathy.

A telling sign of distress, according to Psychology Today, is the subtle compression or tucking in of one’s lips.

Further, Insider explains that the subtleties of a clenched jaw and furrowed brow are called “limbic responses,” which signify stress.

Notice, also, when someone is touching their face or hands extensively and repeatedly. Insider reports that these movements display nerves.

“Both can be soothing behaviors when you’re feeling uncomfortable,” Insider said.

Being attuned to how one’s body is received by others and how others’ bodies subconsciously express inner feelings to the world is a type of awareness that can only help elevate the human experience. Bodies are humans’ vessels to life and therefore are vital in how humans interact with each other and the environment. By utilizing the way the body communicates, a person Humans reveal themselves through body lanaguage. creates a better version of oneself - one Courtesy of Irene Goddard handshake at a time.

10 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

New Netflix Film ‘Bad Trip’ College Round Table Kendall Hayes Staff Writer

Eric Andre, an actor and comedian known for his work on “The Eric Andre Show,” took over a new creative lens this past year through his creation of the movie “Bad Trip.” Student journalists from colleges across the country had the opportunity to speak to Andre and his castmates at a round table interview hosted by Netflix.

On March 17, The Villanovan joined students from schools such as Georgetown University, University of Chicago and University of Michigan in the interview with Andre and his castmates.

“Bad Trip’ is a movie unlike any other. It looks at two best friends, Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery, as they journey across the country in search of Andre’s love interest, Michaela Conlin. The twist? An unsuspecting public was used in lieu of paid extras creating raw, authentic comedy through hidden camera pranks.

In order to create this movie made up of these pranks, Andre had to consult some of comedy’s best, like Johnny Knoxville and Sascha Baron Cohen, while also staying true to his own artistic style.

“I took a ton of inspiration from those guys,” Andre said.

“Those guys are like my comedy fore fathers; Johnny Knoxville and Sascha Baron Cohen and I think that I have my own brand of absurdity in my comedic point of view that I try to bring to it that differentiates it from other stuff.”

In addition to collaborating with other comedians, Andre had to learn narrative writing. This movie was unlike anything Andre has created before. His show, “The Eric Andre Show,” although scripted, is nothing close to the narrative writing knowledge Andre needed in order to make this movie into the reality he had in his head.

“I never had to deal with

explain how he helped castmates Michaela Conlin and Lil Rel Howery adjust to this new way of filming a movie and how one becomes more comfortable with this type of acting.

“It is trialed by fire,” Andre said. “Nothing really prepares you for it until you do it. We did bring Michaela to a mall and have her beat up my director in front of unsuspecting people just to get a feel of it. Really, it’s like learning how to swim by just throwing yourself into the water and drowning for a second. You are forced to learn really quickly.”

The pranks done throughout this movie were chaotic yet hysterical. For an unsuspecting public to watch some of these scenes occur and have no idea that they were scripted is pure comedic gold. Andre described the feelings he and his castmates felt before entering a scene.

“We’re terrified every time because you don’t know if you’re gonna get killed or not,” Andre said. “The more unbelievable the scene is, the more you have to commit. You can’t waver for a second because it is so crazy what is happening. If you don’t commit, the prank fails.”

The movie, which came out on Netflix March 26, allowed laughter during such an unusual time. So, next time you are on Netflix and don’t know what to watch, try “Bad Trip.” It will bring Andre makes students laugh as he makes Carol Baskin his Zoom background. a smile to your face.

Courtesy of Kendall Hayes story, narrative writing before,” Andre said. “For the Eric Andre Show it’s just jokes. It’s just prank based. You write the funniest joke and you don’t have to worry about any storytelling principles. It’s its own art form.”

In order to educate himself, Andre attended Robert McKee’s storytelling seminars.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Andre said. “I just had to go back to school.”

Although Andre has been partaking in hidden camera pranks since he was 20 years old, his castmates were not as familiar with this unusual way of filming.

The Villanovan asked Andre to

Book Buzz Pick Of The Week: The Secret History Cloe Miller Staff Writer

Donna Tartt, best known for her novel “The Goldfinch,” creates an eerie and mystical world in her first novel “The Secret History,” that is reminiscent of October in New England. If you are into dark academia, this is the book for you.

Although this novel is not newly written, it is finally beginning to get the recognition it deserves (thank you Book-Tok).

Finishing this novel will not only leave one absolutely exhausted, as it is over 500 pages (do not let that deter you), but also emotionless in the best way possible.

The novel follows five (arguably terrible) students at Hampden College in Vermont who are in a selective classical languages major. The narrator, Richard, is out of his element. He is plopped in the middle of Vermont thousands of miles away from his home in California. Quickly, he is adopted into the pretentious group of five, containing fraternal twins Camilla and Charles, Bunny, Francis and Charles. These people are fairly unlikable, as they are self-absorbed, annoyingly elitist and cold.

Richard only weasels his way in by creating a wealthy facade, when in reality he is broke and only surviving on his scholarship and workstudy. Within his classical languages major, his classes only include the group of five and their only professor, Julian, to whom Richard

Donna Tartt is a best-selling author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

Courtesy of The New York Times/Fred R. Conrad

grows a special attachment.

Tartt begins by announcing that Bunny, one of the main characters, has been dead for weeks. This novel does not follow the classic whodunnit trope as one may expect. Instead, Tartt builds up the heart wrenching anticipation of Bunny’s death in a capti-

vating manner. Through Richard’s eyes, the reader learns the ins and outs of the group. He discovers their horrifying and traumatic pasts and their recent life-ending mistakes. Throughout the lead-up to Bunny’s death, the group of six experience events no sane person could ever even imagine.

Yes, the book is a longer and slower read, but it is 544 pages of intentional complexities.

Tartt is a master of characterization, making the reader both despise and admire each person in the group of six. Simply put, “The Secret History” makes one feel as if what they are reading is only a dream. Tartt captivates the reader into a lull with her alarming but beautiful story-telling style. The reader becomes especially close to Richard, as he reminisces on his past college years. It feels as if the reader is sitting next to Richard in the dead of winter listening to a magical fairytale, not a tale of murder. Somehow, Tartt pulls the reader into nostalgia for something they have never experienced and creates an atmosphere that other authors can only dream of doing half as well. Tartt has the fantastic ability to create beauty out of a story so tragic and disturbing that no other modern-day author has yet been able to do.

This is one of those books that one can never quite stop thinking about. You might find yourself waking up at three in the morning questioning the true motives of Charles, the ring-leader, and his gaggle of rich friends.

“The Secret History” has intricacies that will not be understood no matter how many times one rereads it, and that is the artistry of it. It is impossible to review this book and even attempt to put it into words for other people because the aesthetic and mystics must be experienced on one’s own.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

CULTURE

The Villanovan | 11

Students Share Thoughts On Food Truck Friday Olivia Sabalaskey Staff Writer

A heat wave hasn’t been the only visitor to the University’s campus recently.

Local food truck businesses like Scoops ‘N Smiles, Pitruco Pizza, Donut NV and Lokal Artisan Foods have visited the heart of campus every Friday night to serve hungry college students on behalf of Villanova’s Community First Committee, which aims to provide safe, in-person events for students during COVID-19.

The idea for Food Truck Friday dates back to Fall 2019 when Christine Quisenberry, the Director of Presidential Initiatives and Events, helped coordinate the addition of food trucks behind the Finneran Pavilion after University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. announced the Strategic Plan. One year later, COVID-19 forced the University to adapt to a new environment full of restrictions. Quisenberry spoke with the newly established Community First Committee about expanding on-campus food options that were COVID-19 friendly.

“Food trucks are like catering on wheels with full service kitchens,” Quisenberry said. “It’s a great option for bringing something special on campus. We’ve received such great feedback from students.”

Erin Buckley, Executive Assistant to the President, praised Food Truck Friday because not only does

it offer students a way to have fun with friends on campus safely, but it also helps generate some revenue for local food truck businesses affected by COVID-19.

“It has been such a pleasure working with the people who own and operate these trucks,” Buckley said. “Given that it is such a tough time for small businesses, I am really proud that Villanova is able to support them while also providing a COVID-19 safe activity for our students.”

Akain Rowland, owner of Scoops ‘N Smiles Food Truck, attested to Villanova’s goal of helping small local businesses like his.

“Food Truck Friday has been a godsend,” Rowland said. “The whole team from the President’s Office should know how much of an impact they had. It’s such a great source of income for small businesses like us.”

Villanova students are thrilled with the addition of Food Truck Friday this year. Many have discovered delicious menu items they look forward to eating every Friday night.

Junior and student body president-elect Caroline Levine shared her thoughts on the food trucks.

“I love how much variety there has been with the food trucks, but my favorite has been the Philly Crepe Truck,” Levine said.

Senior Cassie Renz also enjoys Food Truck Fridays.

“Everything I’ve gotten has been so good, but the donuts are my

favorites,” Renz said.

Sophomore Bernadette Goratowski has gone to Food Truck Friday almost every week.

“My favorite ice cream from Scoops ‘N Smiles is definitely mint chocolate chip,” Goratowski said.

Although mint chocolate chip is a delicious flavor, other students prefer another Scoops ‘N Smiles specialty.

“The Graham Slam is the most popular ice cream flavor,” Rowland said. “Students just love it.”

Charisse McGill, owner of Lokal Artisan Foods, drives to Villanova almost every Friday to satisfy students’ craving for French Toast Bites.

“French Toast Bites with

whipped cream and chocolate syrup is our most popular menu item,” McGill said.

Jonah Fliegelman, owner of Pitruco Pizza, joins McGill and other food trucks in satisfying the hunger of Villanova students with a delicious bite to eat.

“Folks seem to love our Soppressata pizza the best,” Fliegelman said.

In the future, students can look forward to Food Truck Friday themes in Spring 2021. For example, Quisenberry noted that food trucks will offer more sustainable options on Earth Day. Also, Quisenberry and the Office of the President hope to continue Food Truck Friday for many years to come.

Food trucks serving pizza, fries and more gather outside the Riley Ellipse.

Courtesy of Olivia Sabalaskey

Keeping Sane and Sustainable During COVID-19 Lucie Scura Staff Writer

In the age of COVID, we as college students seem to have a never ending list of priorities: maintaining our physical health, working through an impossible courseload and just trying to make it through everyday without going insane. One of the furthest things in our minds is a nonetheless pressing issue that has been put on the backburner: sustainability.

Contrary to popular belief, it is still possible to prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship even in the midst of a pandemic. In fact, many vital daily practices go hand in hand with sustainability. You can actually improve your mental and physical health while also improving academic performance. How? Studies have shown that interaction with indoor plants may reduce

psychological and physiological stress.

This same study showed that surrounding yourself with greenery can actually help improve your concentration and memory — in other words, help your grades. At the same time that you are helping reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, you can simultaneously improve your mental health and ace your next test.

Another way to improve your overall health is a practice that is plain and simple: walking.

Walking has numerous benefits and is a great activity to do with friends.

First of all, walking is great for your physical health. It can prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes as well as keep you physically fit. Walking is also awesome for your mental health, improving your mood and getting you some fresh air. So instead of catching that Uber to your favorite breakfast place, instead consider

taking a stroll with your friends.

One other activity to boost your overall creativity and provide a super fun activity is making your own masks. Using old clothes, old tablecloths or any flexible material that comply with CDC guidelines can be a great DIY and help reduce waste in landfills. Even if you don’t want to make your masks, picking businesses that sell masks using eco-friendly fabric is a necessity.

Lastly, the next suggestion is so simple anyone can do it. It’s as easy as turning a light on and off.

As most of our classes and many activities have turned virtual during the pandemic, the electricity grid has been extremely strained by attempting to charge our various devices. During the day, instead of opting for those fluorescent lights, power down by using natural sunlight through the windows. Studies have shown that just by using natural light many aspects of your life can change. Firstly, those working

next to windows get 176 percent more white light exposure than do their ashen counterparts, according to a study conducted by Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois. That is equivalent to 46 more minutes of sleep. Just by using natural sunlight, you are more well rested. Getting a headache from the light from your computer? A study done at Cornell showed workers exposed to natural light experienced an 84 percent drop in issues such as headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. Cut down that electricity use, your eyes will thank you.

Overall, even though we have many new challenges and issues during these unprecedented times, environmental sustainability does not have to be sacrificed.

Many important things for us such as mental and physical health can actually be boosted with taking care of the world we live in. So let’s take care of ourselves and Mother Nature during COVID.

12 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Show Review: Love Conquers in “The Leftovers” on HBO Sneha Beri Staff Writer

Up until August 15, 2020, I only knew Justin Theroux as Jennifer Aniston’s ex-husband; you couldn’t have paid me to recognize him out of a lineup. After succumbing to peer pressure, though, I put my HBOMax subscription to good use and started watching “The Leftovers.”

The show follows police chief Kevin Garvey (Theroux) as he and the residents of Mapleton, New York deal with The Sudden Departure: a day when half of the world’s population mysteriously disappeared. The premise itself intrigued me, especially when I realized it was adapted from a book

by Damon Lindelof, the creator of the acclaimed series “Lost.” At some point early in season one, it dawned on me that it wasn’t the actual disappearance that was keeping me tuned in, however. In “The Leftovers,” The Departure is an event that has already happened.

The show is about rebuilding and rediscovery after the fact.

The Departure hung over the country (and the show), but what kept “The Leftovers” interesting was following along with Kevin.

Through him, we are introduced to his ex-wife Laurie and the cult she ended up joining: his daughter (Jill) and son (Tom) who continue to distance themselves from Kevin, and Kevin’s father, who was institutionalized because he began to hear voices — eerily prophetic voices.

For a large part of the first season, Kevin has to reckon with the fact that even though his family hadn’t disappeared, he had lost them any-

ing relationships, even amidst the mystery and uncertainty of their new-old reality. The Departure was devastating, and a part of that devastation was the fact that it dredged up already-existing flaws within society. Each character goes through their own rediscovery of what love is to them, just like Laurie, and by the end, the interconnectedness of everything and everyone comes to the surface.

Despite the mystical and paranormal elements of the show, it never seems unrealistic or out of reach. The direction of the show is entirely unpredictable, yet the characters make it feel so familiar.

Justin Theroux stars as Kevin Garvey in “The Leftovers.” When (and I do mean when) you Courtesy of Vox watch this show, you might wonder why I left certain characters or plot way. Simply put: Kevin Garvey Is most unlikeable moments, her grief points out of this review. That’s Trying His Best. and frustration is so gut-wrenching- because I firmly believe that the

Nora Durst, another resly human and relatable. Seeing her ideal way to watch this show is with ident of Mapleton notices this. grow and forgive feels like a person- zero spoilers and the understandShe lost her husband and children al victory for the viewer. I will never ing that this is a love story. Not just between Kevin and Nora, but truly during The Departure, and just like love a character the way I love every single character. I’m already Kevin, numbly goes through her Laurie Garvey, and everyone I’ve worried I’ve said too much. day-to-day life with the occasional spoken to about the show agrees.

I would be remiss if I ended attempt to feel something by engag- Laurie’s character development the review without talking about the ing in physically or mentally self-de- serves as a great parallel and conexcellent use of music in this show. structive behavior. The minute trast for each character on the show Watch “The Leftovers”, and I asKevin and Nora meet each other, at various points. It cannot be said sure you: you won’t be able to think there’s an unspoken understanding enough: I love Laurie Garvey and I of “Where Is My Mind” by Pixies and familiarity. know you will too. or “Homeward Bound” by Simon

It wouldn’t be fair of me

Right after finishing this and Garfunkel the same way ever to give a single spoiler about this show, I contacted Augustine and again. show, but this is especially true with Culture Seminar professor Dr.

At three very short seasons, Kevin and Nora’s relationship. You Camacho and asked him if he had “The Leftovers” should be the next deserve to experience it with fresh seen it. It seemed right up his alley. thing you hit play on next weekeyes, because the series finale hits He told me that he had, and said end.

It will change your life; or at unbelievably hard. something that has been stuck in the very least, it’ll make you realize

Ultimately, the show is my head ever since: “The Leftthings about yourself and the peoabout love. Love is what turns Lau- overs” is not and has never been ple and ways you love. rie from seemingly irredeemable about knowing all the answers.

If you end up watching, say into the best character in the entire He was absolutely correct. At its hello to Nora, Laurie, Kevin, and show. Laurie is a perfect representa- core, it’s about perseverance. The Matt for me. tion of the entire series. Even at her characters have incredibly endur-

How Freshmen Feel About Online Sorority Recruitment Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

Full faces of makeup, nice shirts and sweatpants can only mean one thing. The first rounds of online sorority recruitment have arrived at Villanova.

For freshmen and some sophomores, rush has been a long time coming in a year filled with obstacles to cultivating any sort of social life, and this past weekend marked the first rounds of meetings with the eight sororities on the University’s campus.

In the past, sorority recruitment has taken place in the Villanova Inn. Potential New Members, PNMs for short, are shuttled from campus to the Inn on school busses and spend all day going from room to room to listen to sorority chants, presentations and to participate in conversations. Now it is all done via Zoom, and potential new members have to meet sororities through the screen.

“Obviously it’s a long time on Zoom, but there’s a vibrant energy that comes across the screen,” freshman Meg Cowan said. “Plus you can do it all in the comfort of your sweatpants.”

Freshman Victoria Bruce also weighed in on the experience of recruitment online.

“Even though our conver-

sations via Zoom are limited, I still feel like I am forming great connections,” Bruce said. “Rush has definitely been the highlight of my second semester so far.”

These positive feelings can also be seen in the members of the sororities themselves. Sophomore Kerry Pollock, member of Kappa Delta, weighed in on her first experience being on the other side of recruitment.

“I definitely think it has gone a lot better than we all expected, despite a few technical difficulties,” Pollock said. “I’ve had a great experience so far getting to know so many great girls.”

The positivity about the online recruitment experiences is something that could only have been achieved through the extensive work of the sorority recruitment teams who worked to transition the usually interactive recruitment process to an online basis. These teams had to get creative with how to present their respective sororities to PNMs in a way that was authentic and still mirrored the energy of an in-person event. The members of recruitment committees worked endlessly to create matching t-shirts, dances, presentations riddled with funny scripts and videos for recruitment.

“The biggest challenge this year, more so than non-COVID recruitment years, has been to

stand out as a chapter from other chapters,” said sophomore Alice Ke, recruitment committee member for Alpha Chi Omega. “Virtually, there’s only so much we can do to make our social graphics and in round graphics stand out to engage PNMs. That being said, it’s been great to engage so purely with PNMs in conversation without so much attention to clothing and appearance and less worry on both ends about PNMs judging and comparing themselves to each other.”

Despite the challenges faced with creating an online recruitment strategy, sorority members have found that the process, though different, has been just as rewarding.

Senior Marlee Newman, member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, reflected on what it means to be able to have recruitment for her final year at Villanova.

“Recruitment as a senior makes it feel like time has flown by since we went through this process three years ago, which really makes you reflect on all of the valuable relationships you’ve made through Greek life at Villanova,” Newman said. “The online format of recruitment this year was daunting at first, but after the first weekend, it was reassuring to see that each chapter found a way to still connect with PNMs and share

Alpha Chi Omega sisters Abigail Lukas (left) and Elena Rouse (right) do their sorority hand sign during recruitment partner rounds.

Courtesy of Elena Rouse

their values and different member personalities through a Zoom call.”

On Monday, the PNMs received their official bids and participated in an online “bid-day,” becoming officially welcomed into their new sororities.

It seems that, for all those involved, recruitment has been a source of much needed hope by connecting girls both to each other and the prospect of brighter days ahead.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The Villanovan | 13

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SPORTS

Glaring Inequality Inside the NCAA Tournament Bubble Sydney Sears Staff Writer

Upon their arrival to the women’s NCAA Tournament in San Antonio, the top women’s college basketball players in the country saw amenities and accommodations that were grossly unequal compared to those offered to their male counterparts at the men’s tournament in Indianapolis.

The “weight room” for these Division I athletes consisted of a single stack of six pairs of weights and yoga mats piled on a folding table. The men’s side, by comparison, more closely resembled the floor of a regular gym, including racks and platforms. As images of the weight facilities went viral on social media, other disturbing tidbits slowly came to light. In contrast to the option-rich buffets served in the men’s bubble, the women were receiving small pre-packaged meals. The women’s teams were also receiving less reliable COVID-19 antigen tests, while the men’s teams were receiving the gold standard PCR tests. Even the women’s “swag bags” were less impressive, as they received a t-shirt and water bottle, while the men received backpacks, full outfits and more. Rather than facilitating full access to the media in a year when coverage has already been stifled by the pandemic, the NCAA further cut costs by opting not to staff the women’s tournament with any photographers for the first

two rounds, but published thousands of photos of the opening games of the men’s tournament.

Unable to refute the clear discrepancy between the women’s and men’s amenities, the NCAA initially hid behind a statement blaming the “controlled environment” of the pandemic and claiming that the discrepancy in the weight facilities was due to the lack of space for the equipment in the women’s bubble.

But that was quickly debunked by a video posted by Oregon sophomore Sedona Prince.

The NCAA has long been a part of the problem. That’s because the protections provided by Title IX to shield student-athletes from this sort of unequal treatment do not apply to the NCAA because it is a nonprofit. While most of the colleges and universities that comprise the NCAA receive federal funding, the NCAA itself does not. The NCAA has publicly stated in the past that they will voluntarily comply with Title IX’s mandates, and today proclaims on its website that it strives to establish “an environment that is free of gender bias.” But its words do not consistently translate to meaningful action, and the NCAA has exploited this legal loophole for years.

Although the NCAA has supported women’s sports as they have grown in popularity, there is no dispute that the NCAA has never given the women’s side the same support it extends to men.

Most glaringly, the NCAA has deemed women’s basketball consistently unworthy of its biggest financial prize: bonuses paid out to conferences for wins by their teams in the NCAA tournament, which, in turn, trickle down to the universities and colleges. From 1997 to 2018, the NCAA dished out over a billion dollars to the top five men’s conferences. By comparison, the NCAA has not contributed a penny for a single win in the women’s tournament since 1982.

The justification offered by the NCAA for this different treatment is that the women’s basketball tournament doesn’t bring in enough revenue. But the NCAA has also failed to disclose what the revenues and costs are for the women’s tournament, let alone how they measure up to the men’s. Even if the numbers showed that the NCAA cannot economically justify the same level of bonuses for the women’s tournament, it has never provided a reason it could not reward wins in a more limited fashion. The NCAA recently confirmed that it’s not pushing for any changes in the bonus structure.

As others have argued, the NCAA’s refusal to reward the victories of teams in the women’s tournament sends the message that it views women’s teams as less worthy, at least financially.

As the NCAA recognizes in its own Title IX document, gender equality is not just about money; it

is about benefits and opportunities.

This includes benefits for player health, safety and well-being, particularly given that the NCAA decided to move forward with March Madness against the backdrop of a pandemic.

Unsurprisingly, the inequalities in the men’s and women’s bubbles have been met with significant backlash from players, coaches, fans and the media. Dick’s Sporting Goods announced its willingness to bring “truckloads of fitness equipment” to the rescue in San Antonio. OrangeTheory Fitness similarly offered to open its studios for private sessions and to deliver floor and weight equipment.

In response to its public shaming, the NCAA remedied the weight room problem by finding resources it lacked previously, seemingly overnight. To remedy a systematic problem, the NCAA needs to undergo systemic changes. For that to happen, this momentum for change cannot fizzle out. For years, the NCAA appears to have been operating under the assumption that it can escape unscathed when it treats women’s basketball as less than. That can no longer be the case. If the NCAA cannot be held legally accountable, it must be held socially accountable.

Finally, the NCAA itself needs to follow through in affecting real, sustained change. Otherwise, the NCAA’s commitment as a guarantor of Title IX’s protections will remain devastatingly superficial.

Not So Sweet 16: Wildcats Fall in Regional Semis Noah Swan Staff Writer

Villanova’s postseason run came to a premature end after the team fell to Baylor in the Sweet 16, 62-51. After breezing by Winthrop and North Texas in the first two rounds, Villanova collided with the toughest team it has played all season in the Bears. The two-loss Baylor team emerged from the game with an 11-point victory, but that margin understated the monumental Wildcat effort.

Jermaine Samuels led the way for Villanova with 16 points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Justin Moore managed 15 points, five rebounds and three assists against one of the stingiest backcourts in the country.

Adam Flagler topped all scorers for the Bears with 16 points, including two three-pointers. Davion Mitchell added 14 to guide Baylor into the Elite Eight.

From the tip, grueling effort and physicality personified a game that seemed more like a fight than a competition between basketball teams. Many tagged Baylor as a team that could dominate early, and the Bears jumped to a seven-point lead following a Jared Butler three-pointer. The Wildcats responded with a 13-0 run to take a six-point lead toward the end of the first half, inching to a 30-23 halftime margin.

Villanova’s first-half perfor-

mance against Baylor was one of its best all season. The team connected on half of its shots, but the defensive effort set the ‘Cats apart. Every Wildcat defender locked in on every defensive position with an indomitable energy that Baylor struggled to cope with during the opening period. That energy spread throughout the team, with injured senior Colin Gillespie cheering from the stands. Every possession seemed life or death, every rebound a physical scrap and every loose ball a golden opportunity to grapple control of the game.

The Bears made only two of their 12 attempts (16.7%) from beyond the three point line despite touting the best three-point percentage in the country. Although threepoint defense is subject to luck, the Wildcats smothered the Baylor shooters on every possession. Jay Wright crafted a defensive strategy that stumped his opposition in the first half, only confirming his expertise to a national audience.

The Bears switched gears in the second half, where Scott Drew adjusted the team’s gameplan after a poor first half. Villanova tried desperately to maintain its lead, but Mitchell began slicing through the Wildcat defense with ease. The Bears overcame the deficit halfway through the second half, and the ‘Cats could not muster a worthy comeback attempt down the stretch.

Baylor’s defense grew tougher and tougher throughout the game, forcing Villanova into too

many turnovers in the second half.

As the Bears cut into the Wildcat lead, Wright’s team began hemorrhaging possession after possession off of mistakes from a team clearly missing its starting point guard.

Gillespie’s absence became most apparent during the second half, and the Wildcat offense stalled at points as Baylor’s grip tightened.

With this loss, Villanova enters a transitional period, as the team faces major departures after the season. Seniors Gillespie and Samuels will likely be missed by the team next year, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s stellar tournament performance casts little doubt that he will hear his name called during the upcoming NBA Draft.

Wright and the coaching staff will welcome four new freshmen into the team, including Trey Patterson, who joined the ‘Cats this semester. The Wildcats will need

players to step up and fill the void left behind from departing players.

Robinson-Earl and Gillespie were leaders on the court and in the locker room, and they will be sorely missed. Moore, Brandon Slater, Cole Swider and Caleb Daniels will need to take on more vocal roles in the team as well as higher usage positions on the court. Each is a prime candidate to shoulder more responsibility next season.

With its season coming to a close, Villanova performed valiantly in a tournament many predicted it would leave during the first weekend. Gillespie’s injury imposed a ceiling on the team’s tournament hopes, but the effort against Baylor confirmed that one player alone does not make a Villanova basketball team. The Wildcats enter the offseason in limbo, but there should be little doubt they will emerge as a contender next season.

Brandon Slater dunked on Matthew Mayer, but the Bears ended Villanova’s season.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

14 | The Villanovan

SPORTS

Fordham Hires Assistant Coach Neptune Billy Vinci Co-Sports Editor Continued from p. 1 great success!” head coach Jay Wright said in a statement.

Neptune first started with the Wildcats and Wright in 2008, when he was the video coordinator.

Neptune held that position until 2010, helping to oversee the 2009 Final Four run, Wright’s first as a head coach.

Neptune left after the 20092010 season to become an assistant coach at Niagara but returned in 2013 as an assistant coach of the ‘Cats.

Neptune has been an assistant coach since that 2013-2014 season. He oversaw tremendous success, including two national championships, four Big East tournament championships, and seven

Big East regular-season championships.

He also helped recruit and develop the eight NBA players Villanova has produced since the 2016 draft, with sophomore Jeremiah Robinson-Earl likely to become the ninth this year.

Neptune is 36 years old and will be one of the younger Division I coaches next season. He is a Brooklyn, New York native, so he will be returning very close to home for his first head coaching job.

Wright’s coaching tree at the collegiate level has expanded quite a bit in the past few years. Former assistant Joe Jones is the head coach at Boston University, Billy Lange is at St. Joe’s, Baker Dunleavy is at Quinnipiac, and Ashley Howard is at La Salle. Neptune’s hire expands Wright’s coaching tree to five. Former Wright assistant Pat Chambers was the head coach at Penn State but was fired before this season

Former Villanova assistant Kyle Neptune was announced as Fordham’s new head coach.

Courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

after an investigation into his past conduct with players.

This move means the Wildcats now have an opening on their coaching bench. The other two assistant coaches, George Halcovage and Mike Nardi, were both promoted from director of basketball operations. The current director of basketball operations is Dwyane Anderson, who played under Wright as a member of the 2009 Final Four team. Anderson has assistant coach experience under Chambers at Penn State, but took a step down to become the director of basketball operations at Villanova in 2018. Due to his previous experience and Wright’s history of promoting from within, Anderson is the likely candidate to replace Neptune.

From there, Wright will need a new director of basketball operations. Wright could go outside the program to find a new one, or again promote from within. If that were to happen, current video coordinator Matt Fraschilla is a possibility, as both Halcovage and Nardi were promoted from video coordinator to director of basketball operations before becoming assistant coaches.

Villanova’s success the past eight seasons, combined with the culture Wright’s program is well known for having, have made Villanova assistants particularly attractive for programs looking to rebuild their own culture and program. For Villanova, in order to withstand the losses and continue winning, the culture will be more important than ever.

Tennis Rallies to Defeat La Salle Noah Swan Staff Writer

The Villanova men’s tennis team secured its fifth win of the season with a 4-3 comeback victory over La Salle. The team fought back from being down 3-0, securing the final four singles matches to move to 5-5 on the season.

La Salle earned the doubles point by winning two of the three doubles matches to open the contest. Wildcat sophomores Alex Kim and Justin Suarez lost to the veteran La Salle pairing of Rogelio Gonzalez and Connor Merrill.

The two have struggled at the top of the doubles lineup, often forced into competitions against more seasoned players. With only one win on the season, Kim and Suarez are still finding their footing as the leading duo.

Junior Matt Jones and freshman Anthony Robinson claimed the consolation doubles set, further cementing their status as the most reliable doubles team for Brad Adams and this Wildcat squad. The partnership moved to 6-2 in doubles, the mix of youth and experience combining well throughout the season and becoming one of the most dangerous doubles teams for the ‘Cats.

Freshmen Eitan Khromchenko and Noah Winton partnered for the first time this season, losing their doubles set in the third

position. The first-time matchup underlies Adam’s indecision with the doubles lineup throughout the season.

While the singles rank has remained consistent over the past couple of matches, Villanova continues to try different combinations for the three doubles teams, in search of a perfect fit.

The Winton-Khromchenko experiment became the sixth doubles team this season with two or fewer matches played. Jones and Robinson have found a permanent spot in the lineup, while Adams has not budged from ranking Kim and Suarez at the top. However, that final team has varied throughout the year. Khromchenko and freshman Anthony Prokurat provide a valuable albeit young option to round out the lineup, and Winton has often played alongside sophomore Daniel Cheng. Consistency in the doubles rankings could prove beneficial to the Wildcats as they face a fluctuating schedule prone to cancelations.

Kim lost his second match of the day with a straight-set defeat at the number one singles position. Adams has thrust the North Carolina native into the path of many of the country’s top tennis players, and the sophomore still faces a period of adjustment as the leader of the team. Kim managed more games in this meeting with the Explorers than in the two teams’ previous matchup,

an improvement along the margins reflecting growth among defeats.

Khromchenko dropped his number three singles match in straight sets, his defeat a precursor for the ‘Cats incredible comeback.

Khromchenko’s result comes as a surprise, as his stellar singles record and performance against La Salle two weeks ago have established the freshman as one of the best singles players on this young Villanova squad.

Two other freshmen at the bottom of the lineup secured wins of their own, as Prokurat and Ryan Nguyen helped to inspire a comeback from the number five and number six positions. Prokurat joined Khromchenko with five singles successes on the year as Nguyen moved to 4-2. Greater experience and match time for the two freshmen predicated the success they enjoyed against the Explorers, evidence that a steady selection of players is vital for such a young team.

Cheng secured the Wildcats’ third point of the day with his win at the number four position, a promising victory for a player lacking an excellent singles record to date. Tied at three points, Robinson took home the deciding match in a three-set battle at the number two position.

After winning a tight first set, Robinson dropped the second set in a tiebreak by the thinnest of margins. The freshman rallied in

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Mar. 24-30

Wednesday, March 24 None Thursday, March 25 Men’s and Women’s Track (Raleigh Relays) No team scoring Women’s Soccer @ UConn 0-3 L Friday, March 26 Men’s and Women’s Track (Raleigh Relays) No team scoring Women’s Lacrosse vs Marquette 19-15 W Women’s Volleyball @ Providence 2-3 L Saturday, March 27 Men’s and Women’s Track (Raleigh Relays) No team scoring Baseball @ Penn (G1) 3-0 W Softball vs St Joseph’s (G1) 8-1 W Men’s Golf (LuLu Spring Invite) 2nd of 3 Women’s Water Polo @ VMI 19-18 W Softball vs St Joseph’s (G2) 7-1 W Baseball @ Penn (G2) 3-2 W Men’s Soccer vs Coastal Carolina 0-1 L Men’s Lacrosse @ Georgetown 7-8 L Men’s and Women’s Track (Penn Challenge) No team scoring Field Hockey vs Drexel 2-3 L Men’s Basketball vs Baylor (NCAA Tournament) 51-62 L Women’s Volleyball @ Providence 2-3 L Sunday, March 28 Women’s Lacrosse vs Marquette 7-8 L Women’s Soccer @ Georgetown 0-7 L Baseball vs Penn 3-2 W Men’s Tennis vs La Salle 4-3 W Monday, March 29 Field Hockey vs La Salle 4-1 W Tuesday, March 30 None the third set, finding an unmatchable rhythm in the decider which proved the difference in the game and the match as a whole.

This win adds further support to the foundation of a team trotting out mostly freshmen every week. After facing a gauntlet of four matches in five days only a week ago, the team needed to recover from a 1-3 record over the stretch. Now, with its second consecutive successful outing, the team approaches a clash with cross-town rivals Drexel with a third win in mind.

The Villanova men’s tennis team returns to Philadelphia to face off against the Dragons on Wednesday, March 31 at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

SPORTS

The Villanovan | 15

Track and Field Dominates Two Meets Jamie Pennington Staff Writer

This weekend, the men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, North Carolina, hosted by North Carolina State at the Paul H. Derr Track, as well as at the Penn Challenge at UPenn’s historic Franklin Field.

On day one of the men’s side, Villanova dominated the 1500-meter event. In Raleigh, redshirt freshman Sean Dolan, fifthyear senior Casey Comber and junior Charlie O’Donovan recorded their times in under 3:42.20 the metric equivalent of a sub-four minute mile. Additionally, fifth-year senior Nick Steele competed in the final heat of the 1500, just 10 days after his NCAA Cross Country appearance, along with O’Donovan.

In the 5000-meter event, juniors Haftu Strinzos and Josh Phillips each broke 13:50 later that same night, with Strinzos placing

seventh in his first collegiate outdoor race (13:47.32), while Phillips finished just behind in ninth (13:48.83). Fifth-year senior Paul Nichols also competed in the 5k, shaving more than 11 seconds off his previous PR, notching a time of 14:34.04, while winning his respective heat.

Villanova’s showing in the field events proved successful, with competitors in the pole vault, shot put and javelin. On Thursday, freshman thrower Nick Coffey threw a lifetime best in the javelin in his collegiate debut, throwing for 59.02 meters on his initial attempt, notching him an 11th place overall finish. This performance puts Coffey in ninth for Villanova’s all-time performance list for javelin. Freshman Andrew Grinnell also shined in his collegiate debut, throwing for 53.3 meters, improving his previous week’s mark. In the shot put, senior Billy Loewen placed 13th overall, recording his best mark for 15.43 meters.

Day one for the women proved to be just as successful,

Jadyn Anczarski recorded a PR in shotput.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

with senior thrower Taryn Ashby breaking her own school record in the javelin, with a lifetime best of 48.98 meters on her first attempt of the day, finishing third overall.

Sophomore Liv Morgan competed in the javelin as well, throwing for 37.32. She then competed in the 100-meter hurdles, placing third in her heat with a time of 15.26.

Day two of the Relays included Villanova performers in the 400-meter, 1500-meter, high jump, triple jump and discus.

Junior sprinter Richie Bush recorded a PR in the 400, racing a time of 48.39 and finishing 12th overall, and junior sprinter Keegan Hughes placed 23rd overall, running a time of 49.48. In the long jump, junior Jacob Kelly placed sixth overall, clearing the bar at 2.00 meters, and was one of the 11 competitors who advanced past that height.

For the women, fifth-year McKenna Keegan ran a 54.80 in the 400 -meters, placing fourth overall, earning a collegiate PR in an open race. Junior Lydia Olivere and sophomore Anna Helwigh competed in the 1500 meters, recording times of 4:22.28 and 4:23.22, respectively. French made her second appearance in the discus, with a mark of 50.39 meters as well as a new school record.

On Saturday, Anczarski competed in the hammer throw, throwing for 52.65 meters, moving to sixth place in school history. Additionally, senior Michael Troup competed in the long jump, finishing in ninth with a mark of 6.75 meters. Sophomore middle

distance runner Miller Anderson represented Villanova in the 800, placing third in his heat with a time of 1:52.92.

Keegan continued her remarkable season with a PR in the 800 meters, her third time in past 16 days earning an 800-meter lifetime best, recording a time of 2:04.26 and second place overall.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, 15 Wildcats competed at the Penn Challenge for the men’s team.

In the 100-meters, Dylan Henry recorded a time of 11.27, winning his heat. In the 200, Henry placed eighth (22.50), and Jacob Kunzer placed 11th overall (22.86). In the 400-meter hurdles, Nicholas Mollica finished out in second place (55.61) and Mac Costonsis placed third (57.21).

On the women’s side of the Penn Challenge, junior long jumper Trinity Hart recorded a PR of 5.63 meters, which earned her a top-ten spot in the school record book. Faith Robinson jumped 5.30 meters, Jennifer Barbour jumped 5.11 meters and Caroline Carlson jumped 4.87 meters. This group of athletes also ran in the 100-meter event, with Hart placing eighth (12.64), Robinson placing ninth (12.65) and Barbour recording a PR of 12.87.

Livingston also competed in the 200-meter event, finishing eighth overall with a time of 26.03, along with Thomas (10th, 26.10), Sarah Jones (27.22) and Nikki Merrill (28.30). In the 400-meter event, Kate Flynn ran 1:06.89 and Merrill 1:00.98.

Softball Sweeps St. Joe’s, On 10 Game Winning Streak Matthew Ryan Staff Writer

Last week, the 11-7 Villanova Softball team played a two-game series at home against the 10-6 Saint Joseph Hawks. The ‘Cats got the series sweep, 8-1 and 7-1, improving their record to 13-7 and giving them a 10-game winning streak, its largest winning streak since 2016.

In game one of the series, the Hawks got off to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Sarah Ostaszewski, who scored for Saint Joseph’s, got walked earlier in the inning by Villanova’s senior starting pitcher Paige Rauch. Ostaszewski stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by sophomore catcher Ally Jones. An RBI single scored Ostaszewski, but that run would go unearned for Rauch due to the throwing error by Jones.

In the bottom of the first, the ‘Cats responded with a leadoff home run by senior Angela Giampolo, her first home run of the season. Later in the inning, sophomore Chloe Smith walked, senior Julia DaCosta singled and Jones walked, loading the bases for the ‘Cats with two outs. Freshman Brooklyn Ostrowski then walked, scoring Smith and giving Nova a 2-1 lead.

The ‘Cats added onto their lead in the bottom of the second, with Smith grounding into a fielder’s choice scoring sophomore Dani

Dabroski from third. With Smith on base, DaCosta hit a two-run home run, her third home run of the season, giving the ‘Cats a 5-1 lead.

The next three innings went scoreless, but in the bottom of the sixth, the ‘Cats once again extended their lead. With one out, Giampolo singled and Rauch singled, giving Nova runners on first and second. Smith then singled, scoring Giampolo, and with Smith advancing to second on a throw attempting to get a Wildcat out, Villanova had runners on second and third with only one out. The next batter, junior Ryan Henry, hit a single, scoring both Rauch and Smith and giving the ‘Cats an 8-1 lead.

Rauch pitched six innings, gave up one unearned run, struck out 12, had two hits and scored two runs. Henry had two hits, four RBIs and scored one run.

Villanova had 12 hits (two home runs), drew four walks, struck out 13 batters and had one error.

Game two of the series had senior Anissa Amarillas on the mound for the Wildcats.

In the bottom of the second with the game tied at zero, junior Sydney Hayes reached on a walk and stole second, and sophomore Victoria Sebastian walked, giving the ‘Cats runners on first and second with no outs. Dabroski then stepped to the plate and hit a single, scoring Hayes. Later in the inning, with two outs, Smith hit a

single, scoring Sebastian and giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth with two outs, Giampolo hit a solo home run, her second home run of the season, putting Nova up 3-0.

Rauch and Smith then singled, putting Rauch on third and Smith on first. Smith stole second, and a two-run single by Henry extended Nova’s lead to 5-0.

The Hawks got on the board in the top of the fifth with a one-run triple by Ostaszewski, cutting Villanova’s lead to 5-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, the ‘Cats got some insurance runs.

Giampolo walked to lead off the inning, and Rauch doubled, scoring Giampolo. Rauch advanced to third on a throw attempting to

get Giampolo out. The next batter, Smith, singled, scoring Rauch and giving the ‘Cats a 7-1 lead. That score would go on to be the final as Villanova got the series sweep against Saint Joseph’s.

Amarillas pitched five innings, giving up one run and striking out one batter. Smith had three hits, two RBIs and scored one run.

Villanova had 10 hits (including one double and one home run), drew five walks, struck out one batter and had one error.

The Wildcats’ next series is on Tuesday, April 6, a double-header at home against 8-6 Delaware State. The Hornets hit .247 as a team, while their opponents hit .310.

Angela Giampolo rounds third base.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics