WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9, 2024 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 117 | ISSUE 5
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
Social Justice Documentary
Defendant Charged in Commons Rape Case
Cali Carss Staff Writer
Tucked in the back of Garey Hall, there is a small “lab” room where a course called Villanova University’s Social Justice Documentary meets. Each year, the students who make up this two-semester course create a unique production company and throw themselves into creating a documentary about a specific community from somewhere in the world. The 2024-2025 group has formed itself into a company it is calling Pinctada Pearl Productions and will be traveling to the Philippines for 10 days, departing on Oct. 11. “The course has been going on for probably around 15 years,” producer Meg Martin said. “Typically, we’ll take around 20 people each year. I’ve heard it be called a filmmaker’s bootcamp because it doesn’t really matter what major you are. If you’re interested in social justice, if you’re interested in documentaries or filmmaking or in learning more about yourself and your relationship to other parts of the world… really anyone in any major can register for the class.” This diversity is not only allowed, but encouraged, as each production company is influenced by the different identities of the students who make it up. “The people who constitute the company each come in with their individual ‘why’ they want to produce a documentary and why it’s important to them to be active in the social justice climate, and that collective ‘why’ that we come together to create is the production company,” Director of Photography Elizabeth Bojdak said. This group emphasizes the importance Continued on p. 14
Nicole Liddicoat Co-News Editor
*Content warning: mentions of sexual assault. *All students who spoke in this article have chosen to remain anonymous, due to the sensitive nature of the subject. Villanova University students received shocking news on the evening of Sept. 20: a rape had occurred inside of the Commons. The incident, which took place in Hovnanian Hall on Sept. 13, involved an Uber driver who allegedly raped a student in her dorm room. News has recently surfaced that the assaulter, Mirvan Dinler, a 26-year-old from Trappe,
Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including rape and sexual assault. While the University has taken steps to inform and reassure students, the attack has sparked concern about safety on campus. On Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:08 p.m., students received word of a sexual assault that took place on campus. Villanova University’s Department of Public Safety disclosed basic details about the crime, a rape occurring in the Commons, an on-campus residence hall. The attack occurred on the night of Sept. 13. The victim reported the incident to University officials the following week.
Students were made aware of a rape which occured in the Commons last month. Victoria Margenat/Villanovan Photography
Villanova’s Public Safety Department took swift action upon learning of the incident, emphasizing that sexual assault will not be tolerated on campus. A Safety Alert email was sent to the student body from Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police, David Tedjeske. “Villanova University Police have since identified and contacted the Uber driver, who has been banned from University property while this matter is being investigated,” the email read. “The incident has also been reported to Uber.” As the investigation was active and ongoing, University officials were unable to provide any further informa-
tion or comments about the assault. The timing of the Safety Alert release was criticized because it was sent out during Hoops Mania, which began at 7 p.m that same Friday. A community member raised a question about this matter during a recent Community Conversation on Sexual Violence at Villanova. To this, Tedjeske emphasized the importance of balancing timeliness and accuracy in Public Safety communications. He explained that the report was finalized the same afternoon they interviewed the victim and underwent several rounds of editing before being released to the community. Tedjeske addressed that
Continued on p. 3
Sorority Recruitment Set to Move to Campus Avery Chalk
Co-Opinion Editor Meet the Greeks, Mock Recruitment and other recent panhellenic events have generated chatter around Villanova. After two months on campus, many students have officially caught the Greek life bug. As recruitment season approaches, both potential new members (PNMs) and active members await initiation with anticipation. However, sorority
recruitment will look different this year. While formerly housed at the Villanova Inn, all events will relocate to Villanova’s campus for the 2025 cycle.
The National Panhellenic Conference at Villanova University consists of the following eight sorority chapters: Alpha Phi, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha
Sorority recruitment will no longer take place at the Villanova Inn. Lauren Armstrong/Villanovan Photography
Gamma Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Kappa Delta and Kappa Kappa Gamma. From Jan. 7 to Jan. 12, 2025, each chapter will recruit its spring member class. The process will be newly held in multi-purpose spaces throughout campus. This decision was made to accommodate an increased interest in those wishing to join Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). Due in part to a lack of fraternity and sorority houses, Villanova Continued on p. 6
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recognized p. 3
University Celebrates Eighth Annual 1842 Day p. 4
Espiritus Nova: Capital Campaign for Villanova University p. 7
Villanova Hosts International Sustainability Conference p. 7
Campus Must Do More to Address Sexual Violence p. 8
Stickers on Laptops: Insights Into Who People Are p. 9
Meet the Greeks: Your Guide to Sorority Recruitment p. 14
Shelf Care: The Classics Aren't All That Bad p. 16
MBB Showcases New Talent in Blue and White Scrimmage p. 17
Women's Tennis Competes at Cissie Leary Invitational p. 20