WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2024 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 116 | ISSUE 5
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
Closing Courts has Consequences
Black Student Union Celebrates the Black Excellence Awards
Vivi Melkonian Former EIC
Ask most Villanova students older than a freshman what a quintessential mark of their social life was in their younger years, and they’ll likely say something to do with the halls (and carpets) of 801 Montgomery Ave. Recent turmoil and unrest from residents of Lower Merion Township led to a tighter leash on the once-buzzing building this school year. As of late, restrictions have grown so strict that the social scene at College Hall, colloquially known as Courts, has ceased altogether under threats of citations and even arrests. Courts’ social scene closing isn’t as simple as students discontinuing social gatherings off-campus altogether. It means students will turn to other means of entertainment and interaction, which are farther from campus and far less safe. Courts served as a concentrated and monitored environment for students, where they would be surrounded by peers. Without this option, students (especially those under 21) are more likely to venture out into neighboring towns and subject themselves to unsafe, unfamiliar environments. Closing one vessel for student fun isn’t going to stop it from happening. Especially at Villanova, an institution that breeds resourceful people, students will find a way. When you take away a concentrated social environment like Courts, you open the door for dangerous alternatives. This is not to advocate for underage drinking, which is an issue, and there is no easy solution to this situation. “The closing of Courts is really frustrating,” a female sophomore, who requested anonymity, said.
Step Nation and the VU Gospel Choir were present. Local groups also attended, among them a Philadelphia-based youth group, Villanova’s Black SNAPCo and an a cappella Student Union hosted ensemble from UPenn. its annual Black History The Villanovan had the Month Showcase on Feb. opportunity to speak with 24. This year, the focus of the event was the Black Ex- junior Mya Stinson, the host of the awards. cellence Awards, designed “As a host of the to honor the accomplishExcellence Awards, it felt ments and efforts of Black really great honoring and students at Villanova. celebrating achievements Students gathered and contributions of our in the Villanova Room in elegant attire to experience Black student community,” an evening full of inspiring Stinson said. “The event was a powerful reminder performances preceding the awards ceremony. Var- of the talent and resilience within our organization.” ious Villanova student enAdditionally, Stintertainment organizations, son spoke about the sense such as The Superlatives, Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
Students celebrate their accomplishments at the Black Excellence Awards. Graydon Paul/ Villanovan Photography
of unity and pride spurred by the event. “Overall, it was truly an unforgettable experience that highlighted the importance of recognizing and uplifting Black excellence on our campus,” Stinson said. The highlight of the event was the awards presentation. Members of the Villanova community were able to cast their vote in an online ballot after the nominees were selected and announced through the Black Student Union’s Instagram page. The categories included a “Mr.” and “Miss” for each academic year and each school or college. Additional
awards commended qualities of entrepreneurship, athleticism, involvement, advocacy, leadership and style. Senior Lydia McFarlane, a nominee for “Miss Black and Involved” noted the importance of her nomination. “I was so honored to be nominated and recognized for my involvement, not just in Black spaces but across campus,” McFarlane said. “I work very hard in the classroom and in my extracurriculars, so it was nice to get the acknowledgement that there are people who see the passion I have and the work I put into the things I care about in different spaces and organizations on campus.”
Continued on p. 2
Villanova Reacts to New Textbook Policy Loghan Hirkey
Staff Writer
charged $275 per semester if they are full-time undergraduates, $70 per semester for a part-time undergraduate, $100 per semester for a full-time
graduate and $55 per semester for a part-time graduate. Students can opt out of the program each semester. The Villanovan spoke to
Craig Wheeland, PhD, Senior Vice Provost for Academics, about how this program came to Villanova. “Villanova’s bookstore partner, Follett, has implemented similar programs at other universities,” Wheeland said. “They approached Villanova to discuss this program knowing that the University actively works to provide its students with affordable options for course materials.” The program is expected to save each stuContinued on p. 4
Continued on p. 5
Trying to get the best deal on a textbook is a thing of the past at Villanova. Starting next semester, students’ textbook costs will be factored into their tuition costs per semester. The University expects this to save students a lot of money. Students received an email last Monday about the new Villanova Textbook Access Program. In this program, students will automatically be
11th Annual NOVAdance Preview p. 3
Villanova Reacts to New Textbook Policy p. 4
Villanova’s Houing Process Needs Restructuring p. 5
Villanova Needs More Diverse Professors p. 6
Sof Says: February Wrap-Up p. 7
Crazy for You Play Review p. 9
Lent: What are Villanovans Giving Up? p. 11
VillaVogue: A Guide to the “Wrong Shoe Theory” p. 12
Wildcat Watch: Two Worlds of Lacrosse p. 14
M Tennis Sweeps F&M, 7-0, W Falls, 4-3, to Bucknell p. 15
Villanova bookstore recloacted to St. Mary’s Hall due to the construction library Brian Luppy/ Villanovan Photography