WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 115 | ISSUE 13
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
National Suicide Prevention Month
Students Anticipate Annual Family Weekend on Campus
Avery Chalk Staff Writer
September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, a time when health professionals, mental health advocates and other allies acknowledge lives affected by suicide and promote various resources for those in need. According to the CDC, more than 41,000 people die by suicide each year, and it is one of the leading causes of death on college campuses. Within the past year, 28% of college students reported intentionally hurting themselves, 6% had planned suicide and 2% had attempted suicide (2023 Health Minds Survey). These rates have increased significantly since the 2021 survey, and far more students have experienced depression or self-deprecating thoughts than in years past. With a new environment, grade anxiety and competitive relationship culture, it’s no secret that college is a hard adjustment, which can promote depressing thoughts. Universities must be diligent and proactive about supporting its students’ mental health. But does Villanova adequately check in on the well-being of its students? Villanova offers several resources to help students both emotionally and academically. The University provides Counseling Center services to all students, available in both in-person and telehealth formats. Housed on the second floor of Falvey Library are Learning Support Services (LSS), the Writing and Math Centers and academic tutoring, which are dedicated to guiding students through various time management and study tips to reduce stress. Students have utilized the tutoring services and can Continued on p. 10
Students enjoyed last year’s family weekend, which included a tailgate and a football game. Vivi Melkonian / Villanovan Photography
Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor
Family Weekend. No matter your grade, you are likely looking forward to spending some time with family after being away at school for a few weeks. However, rounding up all of your family members and finding enough activities to keep them entertained is a huge undertaking. Whether you are a freshman who is new to the area or a senior who has run out of things to do on the Main Line with your parents, The Villanovan has you covered. To kick off the events,
Villanova is hosting a Family Weekend Information Table on Friday, Sept. 22 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Inform ation Table will be open for families to get information on local restaurants, learn about Villanova Family Weekend events and have other questions answered. The Office of the Bursar and Office of Financial Assistance will be holding drop-in hours throughout working hours on Friday for any questions. Tired of showing your parents the same sights on Villanova’s campus? Opt in for the campus tree tour on Friday at 4 p.m. at the Corr Hall arch. Led by campus horticulturist Hugh Weldon,
the tour will showcase the biodiversity right on campus. If fall allergies count you out for the campus tree tour, head to the iconic Finneran Pavilion from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an exclusive tour and the chance to meet Villanova basketball players. Other activities taking place on Friday include an Art Gallery Open House, the NROTC fall parade, OFSL open house, inclusion week festival, food trucks, the Junior Ring blessing and a Wade in the Water film screening hosted by Villanova University Black Alumni, among other events. For the full list visit https://www1.villanova. edu/content/university/ student-life/family/events/
weekend.html. Saturday begins with a welcome from Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD at 10 a.m. in the Villanova Room. While there are a variety of information sessions and open houses on Saturday, the main event is Villanova’s Tailgate on the Green. This is the chance for every Villanova student and family to pretend like this is a large SEC school. Following the tailgate is the Villanova football game against University of Rhode Island at 2 p.m. If the day’s activities were not enough, Villanova is hosting a night at the Philadelphia Zoo from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
University Hosts Annual 1842 Day Lauren Armstrong
Staff Writer
September 19th, 2023, is every on-campus organization’s favorite day at Villanova - 1842 Day. 1842 Day celebrates the year Villanova was founded by allowing on-campus organizations to gain additional funding by participating in different activities, such as “Cat Cabs,” tabling, and “Power Hour.” This year, more than
70 on-campus organizations partook in 1842 Day, ranging from Greek Life on Campus, on-campus performance groups, mental health aware-
ness organizations and more. “I love seeing other members of Women’s Ice Hockey across campus on 1842 Day raising money for
Community members on main campus on 1842 Day. Natalie Zickel / Villanovan Photography
Continued on p. 11
the club and sport we love so much,” said sophomore Nadia Balduf. The 2023 1842 Day marks the seventh 1842 Day on Villanova’s campus. “1842 Day was started in 2017, and we are very happy to say that we never took a break from 1842 Day during the pandemic” shared Marci Paton, the Executive Director of Annual Giving. “1842 Day has grown so much both on and off campus through students, Continued on p. 2
Alum Faces Rare Complications After Saving a Life p. 3
University Welcomes New Chief Sustainability Officer p. 3
Falvey Library Expands Book Collection p. 6
Electric Scooter Ban Makes Campus Safer p. 7
University Wage Increase is a Win For All p. 9
Student Spotlight: Elizabeth Weiss, aka “Skinniraini” p. 11
Villanova’s Gluten-Free Club p. 14
Football Prepares for Rhode Island p. 15
Women’s Soccer Remains Unbeaten p. 17
THE BACKPAGE: Volleyball Sweeps Crossword by Northeastern Tourney Peterp.Reilly 15 p. 19