Happy New Year!

Welcome to our first edition of First Year Focus, a monthly newsletter curated specifically for Villanova’s first year families that contains information specific to your needs and interests. It’s our intention that this piece will further connect you to the things your Wildcat is experiencing on campus, the lingo and traditions you may be hearing about, and opportunities for you to connect with Villanova in your home community.

Let's continue to stay in touch! I’ve enjoyed getting to know the Class of 2027 during this first semester and look forward to growing our relationship in the new year and beyond!

Carita Geib ’98, P’26 | Director, Office of Parent and Family Relations
parents@villanova.edu | 610.519.6212

The 2024-2025 housing selection process for first year resident students will take place this upcoming semester. The On-Campus Housing Application will open for first year students (rising sophomores) on Monday, Jan. 8, and will remain open through Friday, Feb. 2. The selection process will conclude in March. Please remind your Villanovan to look for the email that was sent from Residence Life on Wednesday, Dec. 6 and complete the steps included in the email. Students need to complete this application to secure on-campus housing for next year. 

Early in the Spring semester, Residence Life will host several social events where interested first year students can connect with others looking for a roommate. Event dates and locations will be posted in residence halls and on social media and will be sent out via email. If your Wildcat is looking for a roommate, this is a great opportunity for them to connect with others. Students may begin selecting roommates on Monday, Jan. 15 and can choose a roommate until room selection in March, if they wish.

As a side note, Resident Assistant applications are also open through Tuesday, Jan. 23. If your Villanovan has an interest in becoming an RA, more information about this important campus position is available on the Residence Life webpage.

Knowing that students are returning to campus with new interests and inspiration to get involved, the Office of Student Involvement will host a Spring semester Student Involvement Fair on Friday, Feb. 2. Students, particularly first year students, are encouraged to attend and explore different organizations. Remind your Villanovan to be on the lookout for details via email and social media in the coming weeks!

Villanovans are invited to join in a universal day of service to celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During the 17th annual MLK Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 15, Villanovans will participate in service at more than 30 locations throughout the Greater Philadelphia community. Visit our website for more information. 

Families can pitch in! If you are helping your Wildcat move in next week, please consider bringing along items to donate for volunteers to make packages in support of the Bethesda Project and Caring for Friends. Drop off bins will be available through Thursday, Jan. 11 at St. Rita's Hall, Talley Athletic Center, Connelly Center and the Widger School of Law to collect personal hygiene products and unexpired and non-perishable snacks, including oatmeal, raisins, small cereal boxes, water, grits, juice, snack crackers (peanut butter and/or cheese), fruit snacks and fruit/veggie pouches.

The Meal Plan portal will remain open through Tuesday, Jan. 23. If your student is interested in making changes, complete plan descriptions and pricing information can be found on the Dining Services Meal Plan page. Please remember that first year students can select from one of two options.

To help make their decisions, students can review their meal plan activity with their families by accessing their NovaNow app.

Villanova students, faculty, staff and alumni use phrases, acronyms and other terms in communication and during events. We thought you might want to get in the loop, too. Curious about something you heard? Email us at parents@villanova.edu and maybe we can help you!

ACS Approved
ACS stands for Augustine and Culture Seminar. Students taking the ACS requirement will need to attend three ACS-approved events. These events seek to bring our Villanovans out of the seminar room and into campus and the wider world to learn, experience and grow. This idea is inspired by St. Augustine’s desire to seek wisdom and insight with “heart and voice and pen” in community. Throughout the year, you may notice promotion for various events on campus with the statement “ACS approved.” These events have been reviewed by the ACS committee and approved for students to attend as part of their requirement.

Winter Gala
There are many events planned during the winter months! One of the student favorites is the highly anticipated Winter Gala. This annual event, held in the transformed Connelly Center, is free to undergraduate students and includes food, drinks, a DJ, live entertainment and casino games. Students are encouraged to wear formal attire, which can look different for everyone—cocktail dresses or gowns, suit and tie, or dress shirt and slacks. So, as your Villanovan is packing to return to campus, encourage them to wear something that makes them feel their best and that they may already have in their closet. Mailed invitations were sent home to students over winter break and registration will continue through Wednesday, Jan. 31. 

Villanova University is the steward of Dr. Martin Luther King’s original “I Have a Dream” speech. The artifact was given to the University by George Raveling ’60, a former men's basketball standout, assistant coach and 2016 Commencement speaker. Since the document was acquired, Villanova has entered into a collaboration with the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C. to fulfill the mission of making the document broadly accessible. As part of a long-term loan agreement with the University, the speech will be displayed at the museum as part of the new “Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom” exhibit.

To read more about this important piece of history, you can review an article written in The Villanovan.

Dr. King spoke about desegregation and the Civil Rights Act at Villanova University on January 20, 1965, in Jake Nevin Fieldhouse to an audience of more than 4,000 students, faculty and local community members.

Villanova University Office of Parent and Family Relations

Phone: 610-519-6212

Email: parents@villanova.edu