News

Office of Belonging and Inclusion Comes to Villanova

Finn Courtney and Nicole Liddicoat

March 27, 2024

Villanova will be adding a new class to its course catalog come the fall semester.

Last Monday, Corr Hall reopened its doors as Villanova’s new Office of Belonging and Inclusion, or OBI, for short. Open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., OBI hopes to create and support events and programming that help Villanovans firmly create a community that’s both inclusive and welcoming of all, focusing especially on underrepresented students.

Corr, additionally home to students in single dorm rooms, was formerly the main office for Mission & Ministry, before that moved to the recently renovated St. Rita’s Hall. Now, it will be the destination for OBI, a key part of Villanova’s strategic plan going forward.

It also comes on the heels of OBI’s recent change in name, formerly being known as the Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA). In the announcement of the change, the University said it was done to make the name more encompassing of all those at Villanova today.

“OBI opens its doors in Corr Hall, across from the chapel,” the statement said. “Continuing its mission to create and support programming that fosters and sustains a community of respect and inclusion for Villanovans, with a special focus on our underrepresented students.”

Despite the name change, the staff from the former OIA has remained intact and will still be led by Assistant Vice President and Director, Eloise Berry.

The new space in Corr also includes “The SUITE,” with the latter word shortened to represent the full meaning: Space for Underrepresented Identities Together for Empowerment.

The SUITE will include a lounge for students to relax and talk, spaces for meetings and conferences to be held, a kitchen and more amenities for students. However, the space is designed mostly to enhance underrepresented identities and their Villanova experience.

Previously, both The SUITE and OBI had a home on the second floor of Dougherty Hall. The previous space is now vacant, pending whatever the administration plans to do with it. The new space in Corr is designed not just to enhance the amount of room for the office, but to give more underrepresented students the chance to use the facility.

In addition to the new OBI, Villanova will continue to offer additional resources and offices on campus, including the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA).

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About the Contributors

Finn Courtney, Co-News Editor

Finn Courtney is a sophomore Communications and Political Science double major and is entering his first year as one of the Co-News editors for 2024. With a passion for politics and sports, Finn's been a writer for as long as he can remember, was a four-year editor and leader on his high school paper and has covered a variety of stories for The Villanovan, City of Basketball Love, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. When he's not typing up a story or running (probably late) to a class, you can surely catch him procrastinating on something, watching a Mets game (it's their year!) or trying to have a good time, all the time.

Nicole Liddicoat, Co-News Editor

One of three Villanovan Co-News Editors, Nicole Liddicoat is currently serving her first year. Nicole is a junior double majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies, while additionally completing an Economics minor. She is an ambitious student whose passion lies in environmental policy and social justice. Nicole has grown a love for journalism through her time writing with The Villanovan and hopes to continue fostering her dedication to accurate and compelling news. Nicole loves all things music, nature, and gluten-free foods. As a native of the Golden State, she will not let you forget it.

Graydon Paul, Photography Editor

Graydon Paul is a senior Computer Engineering Major in her second year as Photography Editor. As the editor, she edits photos for every issue, making sure they highlight and fit the context of each article. Apart from The Villanovan, Graydon is a huge sports fan, loves to read, collect records, and do anything outside with her two labs, Scotch and Özil. However, that sports fandom has drawn the ire of several Villanovan editors, as Graydon is a devoted supporter of her hometown Dallas Cowboys.