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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

January 2022

President_email_header

January 12, 2022

In this Update:

 

  • Mask Requirement
  • Booster Clinic Registration
  • Board of Trustees: New Members
  • CEER Expansion
  • Office of University Events and Initiatives
  • 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
  • Student Employee Minimum Wage and Anniversary Increase
  • President’s Office Hours for Students

Dear Members of the Villanova Community,

Welcome back. As I stated in my email on Friday, this isn’t necessarily the start of the semester we had envisioned or hoped for, but I am confident that we can withstand this current wave and have a successful semester on campus. I ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility as we navigate these first few weeks of the semester. 

Mask Requirement

I want to reiterate how critical it is that everyone wears a mask at all times indoors, except when eating and drinking or inside the residence halls. We must continue, and in manycases recommit to, always wearing a mask indoors. This mitigation measure is especially important these first few weeks as we know there are COVID positive cases within the Villanova and local community.

Booster Clinic Registration
Villanova has once again partnered with Rite Aid to host on-campus COVID-19 booster clinics. The clinics will take place in the West Lounge of Dougherty Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19; Thursday, Jan. 20; and Tuesday, Jan. 25, for students, faculty and staff. Click here to register.

  • The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) boosters will be available on all these days, but you can mix and match the vaccines, i.e., if you received the Moderna vaccine, you can receive the Pfizer or J&J booster.
  • Community members who received a Pfizer or Moderna second dose before August 15, 2021, or the one-shot J&J vaccine before November 15, 2021, are now eligible to receive the booster.  
  • Individuals who received their second shot after August 31, 2021, will be eligible for a booster shot after January 31, 2022. Individuals remain “fully vaccinated” until they are eligible for the booster five months following their second shot in the two-dose series (Pfizer and Moderna). Individuals who received the J&J shot are eligible to receive the booster two months following their initial vaccine.  

Once you have received the booster, please upload your vaccination card to the Medicat portal to comply with Villanova’s booster requirement by January 31, 2022. If you have any questions, please email covidsurvey@villanova.edu.

Board of Trustees: New Members
The Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of Villanova University. It is composed of alumni, parents and friends who volunteer their time and expertise to provide critical oversight and guidance for the University. Five new members joined the Villanova University Board of Trustees as of Jan. 1, 2022.

  • Christopher J. Maguire ’89 CLAS, President of 1251 Insurance
  • Alfonso Martinez-Fonts ’71 CLAS, retired Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Executive Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
  • Robert F. Moran ’72 VSB, CEO of UNATION, Inc.
  • Diane P. Rowen ’86 CLAS
  • Siran H. Sahakian, Vice President of The Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation

I look forward to working with the new members and the entire Board of Trustees as we endeavor to ensure Villanova’s continued success.

CEER Expansion

As I shared last semester, the Villanova University Board of Trustees approved plans for a 150,000 square-foot addition to the Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER), which will more than double its current size. The first phase of this significant expansion is scheduled to begin at the end of this month. The first area impacted by the construction will be the area around Simpson Hall, as well as the parking around Middleton and O’Dwyer Halls, and the Military Sciences building. More detailed information about the impact on parking for S-2 pass holders will be communicated by the Parking Office in the coming weeks.

Office of University Events and Initiatives  

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges, it also created opportunities to look at our current practices and identify areas for possible improvement. One of the takeaways from the 2020-21 academic year was a need for centralized event oversight for the numerous events, activities and happenings that take place on Villanova’s campus. Therefore, I am pleased to announce the creation of the Office of University Events and Initiatives.   

The Office of University Events and Initiatives will provide high-level support and oversight of campus programming and the University calendar, the coordination and implementation of University special events, and the management of select University initiatives that support the goals of the institution and enhance Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic mission. This office will fall under the Office of the President, and more details will be available soon.

2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration
Next week, our campus joins together to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Highlighted by service, fellowship and dialogue, this annual celebration is a wonderful way for our campus to start the spring semester and work together toward achieving Dr. King’s vision of the “beloved community.”

The celebration kicks off next Monday, Jan. 17, with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. I encourage you to consider participating in this virtual/on-campus day of service, as well as in the other events planned as part of this year’s celebration, including:

  • On Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 7  to 8:30 p.m., Peace and Justice Education will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote Address, delivered by Winona LaDuke, Harvard-educated economist, environmental activist and author who specializes in rural development; economic, food and energy sovereignty; and environmental justice. Please note: The lecture will be delivered online.
  • On Thursday, Jan. 20, the Freedom School will offer hour-long, online sessions hosted by various faculty members, staff and students that relate to and extend the vision of Dr. King.

Student Employee Minimum Wage and Anniversary Increase

I am pleased to share that the student employee minimum wage has increased to $10 per hour effective Monday, Jan. 3. All student employees earning less than $10 per hour have been increased to this new rate. Affected current student job postings will be updated by Human Resources to reflect this rate change. Additionally, anniversary increases for eligible returning student employees not impacted by the new student minimum wage will be processed and effective Monday, Jan. 3. Many thanks to all involved in making this important change possible for our students.

 

President's Office Hours for Students
I set aside time in my schedule each semester to meet with students who would like to share ideas, raise concerns or ask questions. Dates and times for the Spring 2022 semester have been posted and can be accessed online. I want to encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity.

Best wishes for a productive and healthy spring semester!

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Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President