WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2021 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 1
K e l l y ’ s University Experiences Covid Spike Taproom During First Week Back on Campus Re o p e n s Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor
This past week, the moment many have waited for came to fruition. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Kelly’s Taproom posted an Instagram photo that ignited the anticipatory faction of the establishment’s patrons. The photo announced a victorious statement, “We Are Back!” Due to the pandemic, Kelly’s, like many other small businesses, had to close its doors. However, in the following months, as many similar restaurants opened their doors, Kelly’s continued to stay closed. In a previous interview with The Villanovan, owner and 1989 Vilanova graduate, Gene Mitchell gave the reasoning for the continued closure. He shared that the restaurant valued safety, was under much scrutiny from the township and needed more time to formulate a plan of action before it could re-open. To the disappointment of University students and community members alike, the Kelly’s owner had given no hope for re-opening in the fall semester. He did, however, leave readers with the certainty that the doors of the taproom would open before the University’s senior class graduated. This Thursday, that enigmatic future date came to light, as University students and more, for the first time in almost a year, stepped foot into the establishment. Mitchell shared his feelings about the day. “Really, it has been a great experience,” Mitchell said. “Of course we were nervous and wanted to make sure all the protocols were being followed and at the end of the first week, I can tell you every person that came in was respectful of the rules that need to be in place to ensure a safe environment.” Mitchell has always had safety at the core of the establishment, a fact that has been prevalent upon the re-opening. Like many restaurants in today’s climate, masks must be worn inside at any time one is not seated at Continued on p. 9
Alumnus McGuinn Donates $10M to the University p. 3 Vibe Check with The Villanovan p. 9
Thousands of students return to Villanova’s campus amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for the Spring 2021 semester. Courtesy of Villanova University
Cate McCusker Co-Editor-in-Chief After having students back on campus for only a few days, the University has already experienced its first major spike in cases this semester. On Saturday morning, the University campus dashboard reported 31 new cases from Friday. The following day, the cases more than doubled, with 66 new cases reported from Saturday. The numbers have remained high, 64 new cases on Sunday and 62 new cases on Monday. Students received an email from Rev. John P. Stack, OSA, Vice President for Student Life, on Sunday morning, warning students about the increase in cases. “This weekend
the COVID-19 dashboard numbers are higher than we have previously experienced. Although we have the resources to manage the current situation, these numbers are not sustainable,” Stack said in the email. “If this trend continues, Father Peter will have no option but to end the semester on campus. We must immediately act in ways that will bring our numbers down and we must do this together.” On Tuesday evening Stack again emailed the student body, reiterating his warning. “We need to alter our course immediately to ensure that we will not need to disrupt the semester,” Stack said. “One week into this spring semester we have more than 50% of the total number of positive cases we had in
the entire fall semester. These numbers are not sustainable.” The Villanovan was able to speak with Kathy Byrnes, Associate Vice President for Student Life, on Saturday evening to learn more about the increase in cases. Byrnes confirmed that there was not one single event that led to the spike, but most of the positives have been coming from off campus social activities. “A lot of the cases are from on campus students, but those on campus students have gone to larger off campus gatherings” Byrnes said. As of right now, the events run by the Community First Committee, such as the fire pits and food trucks, are still scheduled for next weekend. “The outdoor activ-
travel. Typically, the women’s volleyball team would have 18 Big East games, as well as at least 10 non-conference games, but due to the re-structured conference play and the restrictions, they will only be able to play a total of 14 games and are limited to eight within the Big East. After Georgetown opted out of this season, the Big East split the remaining 10 teams into two divisions, the East and the Midwest.
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ities are a lot healthier than indoor activities,” Byrnes said, explaining that last semester they did not see cases coming out of these types of events. “It’s under constant review, but at this moment we are not cancelling those on campus outdoor events.” Two large events that have been affected include the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils Recruitment processes that were scheduled to take place this month. On Monday night, members of the Greek life community received an email about the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life’s decision to postpone recruitment. “We recognize that even a fully virtual process lends itself to opportunities for members and potential Continued on p. 2
Big East Coaches Poll Selects Volleyball to Finish Second in Preseason Standings Meghann Morhardt
Staff Writer
After not being able to have a fall season due to COVID-19, the Villanova women’s volleyball team is ready and eager to get back to competition this spring. The Big East decided to postpone all fall sports and instead have the teams compete in a modified season during the spring semester, with fewer games and less
Interview with Dean Tumolo About the Spring Semester p. 3 Back to School Predictions: Second Semester Horoscopes p. 11
Robinhood Betrayed Users Over Gamestop Trading p. 5 Villasnowva: Students Enjoy First Snow Days of the Year p. 13
Sophia Howling, redshirt junior, spikes the ball. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
A Letter from the Editors: We Must Act Now p. 7
Lack of COVID-19 Communication from the Administration p. 8
The University’s COVID Solution: The Campus Cozy p. 13
Men’s Lacrosse Ranked 19th in Preseason Poll p. 15