GRAD CLAS NOTES

This past Saturday marked the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Beginning in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth has been celebrated in communities across the country since 1865, but this year marks its formal recognition as a federal holiday. For the second year, Villanova President the Rev. Peter Donohue, OSA, canceled classes in observance of the holiday. In his message last week, Father Peter announced that Juneteenth will be an official University holiday going forward. He also called attention to an important new initiative in our College - The Rooted Project.

The Rooted Project seeks to explore the relationship between Villanova and minority communities on the Main Line and the Philadelphia region, and to incorporate the history of Black Catholic groups into the University's official history. This project evolved from the master's research of Angelina Lincoln ’18 CLAS, ’20 MA, who studied the life of William Moulden, a Black man who donated his estate to the Villanova Augustinians. Lincoln is continuing her work as a University researcher for the Rooted Project under the direction of Judith Giesberg, PhD, History Professor and Robert M. Birmingham Chair in the Humanities.

This month, I also wish to extend a hearty welcome our new graduate students who have joined our community this summer or will be starting classes in the Fall 2021 semester! Each month, GRAD CLAS NOTES will share news, events and information from our graduate community. I hope you find it an instructive and inspiring read.

While the summer months offer a bit of a respite from our academic year schedule, I know many of us are busy taking and teaching summer classes, doing research and trying to find that elusive time to write. I hope all of us make it a priority to take some time off. After the year we have had, we deserve it!

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

Connect with Villanovans past and present, share and learn about upcoming events, news, and more in the Grad CLAS Students and Alumni group on the Nova Network!

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for On-campus Students, Faculty and Staff

Villanova plans to return to a more typical, on-campus experience beginning in the Fall 2021 semester. In order to lift most of the mitigation measures from this past year and provide the safest possible environment for both the University and local community, University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, announced that any students, including graduate students, faculty and staff who plan to be on campus at any time in the Fall semester must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 1, 2021. Online students who will not be on campus at any point in the Fall semester will not be required to be vaccinated. As with other vaccines required to attend Villanova, exemptions may be requested for medical and religious reasons. The University will also make provisions for international students to receive the vaccine once on-campus if they are unable to meet this requirement in advance of the fall semester. More detailed guidance on documentation and the exemption process will be communicated in the coming weeks. Please visit the University COVID-19 Campus Information website for the latest information about returning to campus for Fall 2021.

Domestic Conference Travel Funding Approved for Fall 2021

Because of the progress with vaccination programs across the country, and the updated guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Villanova will allow University funds to cover expenses for approved domestic travel for graduate students who plan to attend a professional conference to present research related to their graduate program. All requests for funding must be submitted before the conference takes place. Students are limited to one travel grant in one fiscal year (June 1 - May 31). Learn more about Conference Travel Funding.

Upcoming Important Academic Calendar Dates and Deadlines

• Please refer to the Summer Sessions Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines throughout the summer sessions for Grad CLAS students (excluding HRD and MPA online).
• Last day for HRD and online MPA Summer II course registration — June 23
• HRD and online MPA Summer II courses begin — June 28
• Last day to add/drop with full refund for for HRD and online MPA Summer II — July 4

• For a complete list of dates and deadlines please refer to the on-campus and online academic calendars.

Falvey Library Service Hours—Summer 2021

Library service hours are as follows: Monday—Thursday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Services will be unavailable Friday—Sunday, and service hours are subject to change for holidays. Villanova students, faculty and staff may enter the Library building 24/7. A Wildcard is required to enter and a mask must be worn while visiting. Electronic collections (articles, e-books and more) are accessible through our website 24/7. For a full listing of service hours, visit the Library website.

Graduate Career Services at Villanova – On-Demand Assistance

We know our graduate students are busy with coursework, jobs and home life. So, when it’s time to explore a career move, we want services, resources and coaching to be easy to access. Whether grad students are looking to update resumes, job search, prepare for an interview or network with Villanovans, we have them covered. Check out the Graduate Career Services page to learn more.

Handshake - The Villanova Job Resource

Handshake is Villanova’s go-to resource for jobs, internships, events and more! This mobile career management platform intuitively connects you to relevant opportunities based on your profile, interests and search activity. Through Handshake, you can apply for positions, explore companies and connections and sign up for career fairs and workshops all in one place. Learn more about Handshake.

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