I’d like to write in response to Christopher Bellotti’s article in last week’s Villanovan. I agree. I do believe that Villanova should be a community of “Unitas, Veritas, Caritas.”

There is also no doubt that some of our students embody this idea more than others. You end your column by asking this paper’s readers to speak up, and I’d like to take that opportunity myself.

I think it’s vital to point out a glaring discrepancy in your reasoning. While the general idea of the dialogue-saying we need to be a community-is of rational mind and judgment, it is absolutely absurd to judge your peers solely on how they look and dress.

In a related note, I think you should pay attention to your wording. There have been times in history when people have said they wanted to “render extinct” a group of people for whatever reasons. I know you don’t mean that, so I won’t linger on it.

What’s important is I think you did your article (and credibility) a great disservice by undercutting your argument to begin with.

In other words, by publicly and intentionally wishing harm on people who are different than you and making sweeping generalizations, you do nothing but further distance our student body and cultivate a culture of animosity-in turn, hindering community.

Now I’m well aware that there are students who didn’t make it here on their own merit. True. Did Father Donohue take a step in the right direction by making diversity one of his main objectives? Undoubtedly. Do I think you’re taking this a bit too far? Oh yes.

Some of these very people you write about have phenomenal GPAs. Some of these people are also some of the most well-spoken, hard working and good-hearted people I know.

Admittedly, it’s probably easy to sit back and take the attitude that these people add nothing to our community, except another reason for us to be stereotyped.

But have you ever taken the time to get to know any of these people? Be honest. I’m almost sure you haven’t. Let’s welcome diversity rather than slamming the status quo.

The irony is that in your dissertation of chest-pounding Villa-patriotism, you’re overlooking another problem. You’ve attacked the lack of open-mindedness of the individuals you’ve written about.

Isn’t it a bit close minded to write about people you know nothing about in a completely unproductive manner? Why not be the change you wish to see in the world?

So what if there are people you just won’t get along with? This population is sure to be a lot smaller than you think if you make the effort to extend your hand first.

On a personal note, I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who squeals like a pig in the face of adversity. Chill, that’s crossing the line.

My point is if you’re going to make a point, do it well. You have a responsibility to state your opinion in a logical and rational manner.

Shooting outrageous statements, for whatever reasons, is doing nothing to solve yours or anyone else’s problems. I’m just hoping you’re a bit more responsible in the coming weeks.

Andrew Stadelberger ’08

It’s begun to occur to me that more often than not, when I pick up an issue of the Villanovan, I can expect that there will almost always be an article in the opinion section that I find offensive.

This is usually not because I don’t agree with the viewpoint of the writer, but because the stance that they are taking is uninformed.

If you have an opposing opinion, I’d love to hear it, but for the sake of the Villanova community, and especially for those prospective students and parents that pick up a copy of the newspaper every week, I would expect to see a little bit less stereotype and a little more accuracy when representing this campus.

It’s ironic that by picking out the “meatheads” to the “Villanova Guy” to the “Villanova Girl,” some of us think that it will lead to an overall better community feeling at ‘Nova.

Instead, highlighting these stereotypes that are apparently rampant at this campus gives us that exact “superficial” quality that those are so concerned about.

If these people are a “minority” of the students on the campus, then why give them the title of Villanova Guy/Girl?

It’s not only misleading, but irresponsible. You are giving the public an inaccurate portrayal of the students on campus so that they consider themselves justified in writing to the Princeton Review in regards to Villanova’s “homogeneous” population.

Last time I checked, your average male Villanova student balanced a life of classes, athletic practice, fundraising for well-known charities and a social life-and did a good job of it.

So am I a Villanova Girl? After reading last week’s opinion column, maybe I am.

Sometimes I wear heels to class, wear big sunglasses, carry a designer bag and talk on my Razor phone.

But you know what? I paid for those items using my own money from the two jobs I had this summer. But chances are you wouldn’t know that because you’d be too busy praying I’d trip on Bartley Steps.

Maybe you’re right. In reality, some guys/girls have a lot of their expenses covered by their parents and out of that group, some might not appreciate it.

I’d encourage you to take a step outside of the Villanova bubble and realize that out there in the real world after we start working at a company with professional colleagues, there are going to be some people that take things for granted and expect to get an “‘A’ for effort” – and you’re going to have to suck it up and work with them to make a successful final product.

That doesn’t mean that I think that that attitude it appropriate, but I am quite aware that “spirit and diversity” isn’t going to make those people disappear.

I guarantee any ‘Nova student that if they disregard the labels being thrown around to characterize this University and actually get to know other students, you will find something significant behind bad fashion sense or expensive accessories.

Want more culture? Diversity doesn’t just come in skin colors and ethnicities.

Villanova Girls and Guys have a lot more to offer than a laugh in the Quad.

Mona Munayyer, ’08