WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2024 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 116 | ISSUE 11
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
Concerns Raised About SGA
Villanova Community Holds Demonstration in Support of Palestine
Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor
Villanova’s Student Government Association, or more simply referred to as “SGA” by many, is intended to serve as the voice of the undergraduate student body. This organization embraces the structure inspired by the United States government, mirroring the three-branch system with executive, legislative and judicial branches. This model aims to address pressing issues that directly impact students while fostering a culture of democracy and accountability. However, former members, including junior Tyler Moore and senior Preston Muñoz, state that it is this structure itself that leads to issues like inner cliques, which hinder the group’s effectiveness and leads to dysfunctionality within the organization. Moore and Muñoz describe how they both joined SGA during their first years at Villanova and expressed their initial excitement and interest in the program. They became deeply involved in the organization, both rising to leadership positions as they continued to spend their time serving in the group. However, as time progressed and dynamics began to shift, Moore and Muñoz began to grow disinterested in the program. Specifically, when the “Group of 15” came to be that Moore and Muñoz noticed a stark shift in the way in which SGA was being run. The Group of 15 is composed of the President, Vice President and 13 other chairpersons. After each general body meeting, this select group would meet for an additional 45 minutes. Muñoz described these meetings as “disheartening,” as it seemed like the real decisions were being talked about there, Continued on p. 3
Finn Courtney
Co-News Editor Lauren Armstrong
Co-News Editor
The Villanova Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organized and held a protest in support of Palestine on April 30, 2024. The protest, which took place at the Riley Ellipse and then relocated to the steps outside the Connelly Center, consisted of approximately 100 students and staff members standing and marching in solidarity, dressing in black and chanting in support of ending violence in the Gaza strip.
Junior Bailey Proctor-Madden spoke on the hopes behind the protest of what the organization wished for the Villanova community to get out of today’s events. “The goal of today’s demonstration was basically to make Villanovans aware this is still an issue,” Proctor-Madden said. “I feel like we have an apathy on campus to just ignore things that [do not] impact us directly. So, I think it’s really important that we continue to raise awareness in any way possible and fight to call for a ceasefire.” The organization aimed for this protest to be disruptive, while remaining respectful to the greater Villanova community. Students at
Students and staff members gathered to show support for Palestine. Dylan Johnson/Villanovan Photography
Villanova received an email at 11:34 a.m. that morning from Kathleen Byrnes, who serves as the Vice President of Student Life. “At Villanova, we believe in the right of our students to express their own personal viewpoints in a civil and peaceful manner,” Byrnes wrote. “We expect members of our community to uphold the University’s community ideals of mutual love and respect for individual differences.” The University has not shared a statement on the issues regarding Palestine and Israel, and instead aims to support students on campus. “As a Catholic and Augustinian University, Villanova
is called upon to support students of all identities and political viewpoints on our campus,” Byrnes wrote. However, the students involved with SJP disagree with the administration’s stance, calling out the University for previous behaviors showcasing that the school will make statements regarding global issues, and are choosing to stay silent about this conflict specifically. “I find it interesting for those who believe that Villanova chooses to remain apolitical…to be the reason why they’re choosing not to call out this violence,” an anonymous student said. “However, this cannot be further from the truth.
Continued on p. 2
2024 Commencement Speaker Announced Emma Cahill
Co-Editor-in-Chief Nicole Liddicoat
M. Donahue, O.S.A., Ph.D., The Villanovan was the first to receive this news and deliver it to the community on April 25. The search for this year’s
commencement speaker began in August and September. Father Peter shared that it is a long process to acquire someone, noting that the University
Co-News Editor On May 17, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will address graduates at this year’s Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024. In a sit-down conversation with University President Rev. Peter
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez set to be 2024 Commencement Speaker. Courtesy of Archdiocese of Philadelphia
typically has to wait to see if commencement will align with the speaker’s packed schedule. He explained that for this year, the University considered several other speakers, and it was a difficult task to obtain someone. This year, Villanova scored the highest-ranking Catholic official in Philadelphia to speak at Commencement. Born in Miami, Archbishop Pérez is the son of Cuban immigrants. During his time in the priesthood, he has served in various Continued on p. 3
This Week in Politics p. 2
University Hosts Earth Day Keynote Address p. 5
Villanova Racing’s 15th-Annual Car Reveal p. 6
A Goodbye to the Corr Hall Basement p. 7
Catappetite: Healthy College Breakfast Ideas p. 14
Horoscopes: The Tortured Poets Department p. 15
VillaVogue: Summer Style Predictions p. 16
Villanova Shatters NCAA 4xMile Record at Penn Relays p. 17
Villanova Senior Works as Phillies Ballgirl p. 19
Ask The Villanovan p. 22