GRAD CLAS NOTES

First, please join me in welcoming our new students who are beginning their graduate studies at Villanova! The University will be hosting a live, virtual new graduate student orientation on Wednesday, August 12. Look for registration information soon. We are excited for you to join our community of scholars!

GRAD CLAS NOTES is our monthly newsletter for members of the graduate studies community in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Each month, we will share academic news and important dates and deadlines, as well as research and enrichment opportunities that you may find helpful as you navigate life as a graduate student at Villanova. We always welcome feedback or ideas for items to include, so please feel free to contact us with ideas.

Now, the task at hand is to do our best to prepare for a safe, productive fall semester. I encourage you to review closely the University's Return to Campus Plan website. While our plans are still evolving, the site is a comprehensive resource to help us navigate these uncertain times together. We recently added a set of Graduate Student Frequently Asked Questions, which we hope address any outstanding questions you may have. In addition, we learned yesterday that the ICE directive concerning international students has been rescinded. Students on F-1 visas may enroll in an online-only course-load and remain in the US. Be sure to check the Return to Campus site for the latest developments.

Finally, I want to call attention to an important initiative that you can learn more about in the Events, Reminders and Information section of our newsletter: the College Anti-racism Initiative. Dean Adele Lindenmeyr and I, along with our College leadership team, are committed to making anti-racism a priority. As we say in our statement: "Words are not enough."

Through all of this uncertainty and change, we are committed to making Villanova a special place to pursue your graduate education. Hang in there. Be safe. We will get through this.

- Emory Woodard, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

In recent weeks, Villanova University has announced a series of initiatives designed to provide a safe learning environment for the fall semester. Please review the Return to Campus Plan website, which details all aspects of the University's reopening in August and how it plans to manage the fall semester. Some key points:

• For all programs (excluding HRD and MPA online), classes will begin on Monday, August 17.
• There will be no fall break this semester, and the last day of classes will be on Tuesday, November 24. HRD and online MPA will follow their normal schedules.
• For all campus programs, Villanova’s fall 2020 semester will be a mix of on-campus, online and hybrid class formats. Please be aware that as many graduate classes as possible will be in a 100% online format. Classes that still need to occur on campus will only occur in spaces that afford proper social distancing.
• The University developed a robust Health and Safety Plan.
• The plan includes a series of Graduate Student FAQs.
• Fall 2020 class registration and access to Fall course information will be temporarily suspended through July 26 in order to process changes to the Fall 2020 Academic Calendar, moving the standard meeting times to provide longer passing periods between classes, and rescheduling classes into spaces which accommodate University-approved social distancing protocols. Changes to class schedules can be made after this review period.
  
• We have requested to limit the number of graduate course schedule changes. Even though we expect minimal changes, please make sure to review your class schedule after July 26. If you have specific questions, or need guidance in selecting your courses, please contact your Graduate Program Director.
• International students on F-1 visas may enroll in an online-only course-load and remain in the US.

Video Series: An Introduction to The Confessions of Saint Augustine
Villanova University has been sponsored by the Augustinian Order since its founding in 1842. To this day, Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is the cornerstone of its academic community. If you are interested in learning more about the life and thought of Augustine, the Augustinians of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and the Rev. Arthur Purcaro, OSA, Assistant Vice President, Villanova Office of Mission and Ministry, invite you to explore a new video series examining Augustine's seminal autobiographical work, Confessions. Explore the video series.

CLAS Anti-Racism Initiative
Words are not enough. We cannot wait any longer to act. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is committed to making anti-racism—the policy or practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance—central to all that we do. Over the course of 2020-2021 CLAS will invest significant funds and effort to advance the anti-racist initiatives. We do not promise overnight results; these measures are not a panacea for systemic racism that has been embedded in American life since its founding. But we do promise meaningful actions and a long-term commitment to reflection, scrutiny and positive systemic change. Read more.

Student Housing Website

The Villanova Office of Student Life has launched a comprehensive Off-Campus Living website, which include includes a special Graduate Student Housing blog and a Graduate Student Message Board. This site is an excellent resource if you are looking for an apartment or a roommate, or want to learn more about the communities near Villanova. In addition, many apartment communities are offering virtual tours if you are not able to visit before classes begin.

Dealing with Everyday Life During a Pandemic: Five-part Series - Week of July 13 - August 12

As the world around us continues to change at a rapid pace, everyday aspects of life can seem more challenging and complex than usual. In partnership with English professor Crystal J. Lucky, PhD, the Villanova Alumni Association is excited to offer a new virtual series: Dealing with Everyday Life in a Pandemic with Dr. George James '01. This five-part series will cover topics such as relationship dynamics, everyday activities, parenting and work/life balance, and will culminate with a live Q&A with Dr. Lucky and Dr. James. Each of the first four recordings will be sent to registrants weekly, beginning the week of July 13. Registrants are encouraged to watch the conversations each week, and then attend the Q&A session on August 12 at noon EDT. Learn more and register.

Upcoming Important Dates and Deadlines

• Fall Course Registration Reopens - July 27
• New Graduate Student Live Virtual Orientation - August 12
• Classes Begin - August 17
• HRD and Online MPA Fall I Classes Begin - August 24
• Last Day to Add/Drop - August 25
• HRD and Online MPA Last Day to Add/Drop - August 30
• Labor Day (No classes) - September 7
• For a complete list of dates and deadlines please refer to the on-campus and online academic calendars.

Industry Career Circles - Registration Deadline July 24

The Villanova University Experienced Career Services team is proud to launch Industry Career Circles! This program is designed for discussions on specific industry trends, challenges and opportunities with a small group of professionals led by volunteer co-facilitators. Industry Career Circles meet quarterly for one year and are open to all Villanova alumni and graduate students. The deadline to register is July 24; the first virtual meeting will be held the week of August 24. Learn more and register.

Covid-19 Grants for History in the Public Interest - Proposal Deadline August 15

The Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest at Villanova University is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity to support historical projects related to the Covid-19 pandemic that advance the public interest. The Center will fund up to 10 projects that creatively engage with the broad range of questions, concerns, policies and practices raised by the study of how past pandemics have affected the course of history and how historical study can further public understanding of the current Covid-19 crisis. The Center is particularly interested in proposals that adopt a global approach and highlight issues of race, gender, power and structural inequality. Learn more.

Email: gradinformation@villanova.edu
Website: gradartsci.villanova.edu
Location: Villanova University, Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA, United States
Phone: 610-519-7090
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Twitter: @VUGradStudies