On the evening of Tuesday, April 8, The Villanovan learned that Juan Eguiguren, who was identified in a recent Philadelphia Magazine article as an alleged accomplice in a sexual assault that took place on campus in 2022, will not be in attendance at the Villanova University Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 on May 16.
The victim’s attorney, Jay Edelstein, shared with The Villanovan a statement from Eguiguren’s attorney, Doug Maute:
“I represent Juan Eguiguren and issue the following statement on his behalf: Mr. Eguiguren does not wish for his presence to detract attention from the deserved recognition and celebration of the Class of 2025 at Villanova University’s Commencement Ceremony. Therefore, he will not be in attendance.”
Over the past two days, the Villanova community has expressed frustration over this dispute, which involves a sexual assault survivor’s request not to attend commencement alongside her assailant’s accomplice. The civil lawsuit that she filed last fall against Villanova, College Hall Apartments, and three male students, is separate from a now-resolved criminal case that found one student guilty and confirmed all three students’ involvement. While two are no longer on campus, one remains, which prompted growing concern from both the survivor and the broader campus community. From the Philadelphia Magazine article disclosing the request, to social media posts, petitions and protests, the outrage sparked on campus led to the message sent by Maute.
The outraged response from the Villanova community on this matter first started with an online petition that began as a case to dismiss the accomplice from campus. It later called on individuals to: “Demand that Villanova University Bars Juan Eguiguren From Walking at Graduation.” Prior to this week, the petition had reached around 800 signatures. However, after the release of the article by Philadelphia Magazine on Monday, April 7 the signatures increased to more than 22,000 by late Tuesday night.
Earlier on Tuesday, April 8, Villanova’s Title IX Coordinator, Ryan Rost and Vice President for Student Life, Kathleen J. Byrnes, J.D., released a statement on behalf of Father Peter M. Donahue, OSA, Ph.D. that stated the following:
“On behalf of Father Peter, we are writing today in connection with the recent Philadelphia Magazine article and the understandable concerns that the situation raises for our community. We hear the concerns surrounding the harm done to the survivor and the wider community. We are actively working to address the situation at hand relating to Commencement and are seeking an outcome that will offer care and respect for the survivor and ensure that the survivor can participate fully in Commencement.”
In reaction to the alleged accomplice’s presence on campus, many students found themselves disturbed by the University’s lack of action.
“Villanova’s passive stance in this matter only shows women and gender minority students that this institution is not a safe space for them, and that they put their safety at risk by reporting,” said senior Antonia Aguilerad.
“I want to emphasize that students can’t take pride in their community if there are no consequences for enabling abuse,” said sophomore Anastasia Orel. “Sexual assault has to be taken seriously from institutions if we want to prevent it from happening.”
However, there continues to be pressure being placed on the University to make decisions that honor victims. A newly formed organization called “Occupy Villanova” had planned a protest on April 12, the day when the University’s Admitted Students Day (ASD) is scheduled to take place. The spirit of the protest echoes the sentiments of the petition, which aimed at barring Eguiguren from walking at graduation.
Now, even though the alleged accomplice’s counsel has confirmed he will not be in attendance at Commencement, there still remains pressure on the University to act. Occupy Villanova’s protest will still take place this weekend, and organizers hope to further challenge the alleged accomplice’s presence on campus. The Villanovan had the chance to discuss this matter with senior Hope Frantz and sophomore Marisa Canepa, organizing members of Occupy Villanova.
Franz, a founding member of Villanova’s Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Organization (SAPA), wanted to take action to demonstrate her frustration at the lack of action from the University. After much discussion with other SAPA members, they began to plan “Occupy Villanova” as a way to attract more attention to this issue. Intentionally planning the protest on the same day as ASD, Frantz, Canepa and other organizing members of the protest want to send a message to the University that they will not back down.
“If I was a [prospective student] thinking of going here, or a mother thinking of my daughter going here, and I saw that the University still housed a rapist, I wouldn’t give 90k to be here,” Canepa said. “I think the potential of a financial burden on Villanova is what will get to them most, because that’s what they care about the most.”
Additionally, Canepa shared the sentiment behind the ongoing nature of the protest.
“As of right now, we are still planning on [holding the rally],” Canepa said. “Students should still be aware that he was here, and he is here, and that it took outrage for them to make this decision instead of just the trial or the action itself.”
Frantz hopes that community members will continue to ignite change on campus. She offers words of wisdom to prospective Villanova students who will be present on ASD.
“As a senior, I want to [leave a] message for prospective students that you have a voice here at Villanova and [you shouldn’t stop] until you see the change that you want to be a part of.”
This is a developing story. More updates will come promptly as soon as they are shared with The Villanovan.
To report a sexual assault or an act of sexual misconduct, call Public Safety at 610-519-5800; the Title IX Coordinator Ms. Ryan Rost at 610-519-8805; or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. For more information on support resources, call the Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator (SARC) at 484-343-6028. For more information on Villanova’s sexual misconduct prevention and education efforts, visit: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/sexual-misconduct/education.html. For the National Sexual Assault Hotline, call 1-800-656-4673.
