The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted a Town Hall with Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, Ph.D., in the Mullen Center Topper Theater on Monday, Nov. 4.
During this town hall, Father Peter described the plans for the new library, as well as details about the move to the Cabrini campus.
Father Peter announced that as he has stated in emails, the in-progress, Vic Maggitti Hall will house the Falvey Library, as well as the offices currently located in the current Falvey Library: the Center for Access, Success and Achievement, the Learning Support Services, the Writing and Math Centers and the Center for Speaking and Presentation.
The current location of Falvey will potentially be used for the Office of Student Life, a new bookstore location, or additional spaces for professor’s office hours. However, the current Reading Room will remain.
With the additional space from Cabrini, the University plans on a multitude of options, including sophomore housing in pod-style dorms, more student parking and an increase of classrooms and departments, such as Elementary Education.
“From the event, I got the sense that a lot of changes and developments are happening around campus, and it will continue to improve year after year,” SGA Liberal Arts Senator Kara McGoldrick said. “Father Peter also shared that he would love to do renovations on the inside of Tolentine, but due to needs for a significant budget, that would be a future project.”
The event was led by Student Government Association President Dean Millard, Student Body Vice President Aleko Zeppos and Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kenza Idrissi.
“We held the event so that students could hear directly from Father Peter, get updates about university initiatives, and ask him questions,” Millard said.
The board asked Father Peter a variety of serious and fun questions, then opened the floor to other students in attendance.
“We asked him about his vision for Villanova moving forward, the Espiritus campaign, Cabrini, DEI initiatives and questions about his experiences as University President over the years,” Millard said. “Some of the questions students asked included the presidential election, additional student organization resources, and dining.”
The event concluded with a raffle for a Refectory Dinner for four, which the Student Government Association funded.
“I am hopeful that future Villanovans will have even better facilities to suit their needs and will take advantage of the services offered there,” McGoldrick said.
Overall, the event was a success, and cleared up many concerns or questions Villanova students had, straight from the President himself.
