Rita Offutt, Editor

From Sept. 21 – Oct. 21, the International Council of Young Lasallians (ICYL) is hosting the 15th annual International Lasallian Days for Peace (ILDP). This year the theme is “Rise Together for Peace!” and the five weeks of the event will be marked by virtual activities to encourage reflection on inequality, isolation, peace and hope.

On Sept. 21, the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, the Lasallian Region of North America offered an Opening Prayer Vigil and the global Lasallian community celebrated the start of the ILDP through a global online launch. Resources provided by the District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta Young Lasallians Council outline activities for each day of the ILDP. The activities are separated into five slideshows that correspond with each of the five weeks of the event. Each day has a different prompt and reflective questions on how to incorporate peace into daily living.

An article about the ILDP from La Salle University is featured on the website for The Brothers of the Christian Schools District of Eastern North America. In the article, Br. Ernest Miller describes the ILDP as “an annual opportunity to provide a globally shared period for Lasallians to commit to building peace.” He goes on to say that La Salle University students, faculty, and staff can foster peace in their lives by “[adopting] a personal commitment to the practice of nonviolence and reconciliation. Adopt a personal commitment to justice creation. We need to see everyday life as not simply ordinary, but the space in which the meaning of existence is disclosed in day-to-day activities and relationships. Beginning in our neighborhood, on our campus, in our family, and in our networks of friends, we must strive to build a wholesome community environment by practicing radical hospitality and inclusion of all peoples—helping others to live well together.”

On Oct. 6, La Salle University is hosting a one-hour virtual event entitled “The Quest for our Shared Humanity: Lasallians as Artisans of Peacebuilding” as part of the International Lasallian Days for Peace. More information can be found on the university calendar on the myLaSalle portal.

Rita Offutt, Editor

On Sept. 13, U.S. News and World Report released their 2022 “Best Colleges” report, which included the first-ever ranking of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs; out of 694 programs, La Salle was ranked #288. According to U.S. News and World Report, “The rankings are based solely on the judgments of deans and senior faculty members of nursing schools and departments at institutions around the country.” Those judgments, classified as peer assessment scores or reputation scores, were recorded on a 5-point scale, ranging from outstanding (5) to marginal (1). La Salle received a reputation score of 2.9. 

Because the 2022 BSN rankings were based solely on reputation score, and did not include objective metrics such as licensure exam results, many institutions tied. More than forty  universities received a reputation score of 2.9, and because other metrics were not used, they all share the #288 ranking. Other Philadelphia-area schools were also included on the list, including Villanova University (#23), Thomas Jefferson University (#58), Drexel University (#96) and Temple University(#120). The University of Pennsylvania was ranked number one, with a reputation score of 4.6. 

On Jan. 4, 2021, La Salle shared that “Undergraduate students in La Salle University’s nursing program achieved a 94.64-percent first-time pass rate of their national licensure exams for registered nurses…The pass rate posted by La Salle’s nursing students exceeded the national (86.76 percent) and state (91.99 percent) averages for this same cycle, according to the National Council of State Board of Nursing.” Following the “Best Colleges” report, Interim President Tim O’Shaughnessy told La Salle News, “La Salle’s undergraduate nursing program is one of our hallmark undergraduate degree programs, one of which we are incredibly proud. Not only does our BSN program cultivate future leaders of the nursing profession, it trains our graduates in the delivery of compassionate care for the most-vulnerable populations.”

When asked about her experience in La Salle’s nursing program, senior Addison Frazier said, “The program is challenging, but an appropriate amount — I definitely feel like La Salle prioritizes National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) prep. The faculty are very supportive and truly want to see us succeed. I’ve had great clinical experiences so far and I feel well prepared from our simulations and classroom preparation. La Salle students are very fortunate to work in a wide variety of clinical sites and be so close to so many highly regarded medical centers.” After reviewing the 2022 “Best Colleges” report, senior nursing major Renata Qunito echoed Frazier’s sentiments, saying, “I’m extremely proud of La Salle’s BSN program. I find it unfair that the schools were ranked based on reputation alone. Other quantifiable measures, such as NCLEX first time pass rate, would better represent the success of La Salle’s students, faculty, and overall program. La Salle produces stellar nurses who go on to accept the same, if not better, job offers as students from other, higher ranking Philadelphia universities.” 

Kylie McGovern, editor

Crystal Bradley speaking outside of her store front in West Oak Lane. Via PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS

On Sept. 15, Philadelphia’s City Council released a new funding plan for a Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. Council members announced the plan outside of a local shop called Gilben’s bakery. Gilben’s is about ten minutes away from La Salle. The Neighborhood Preservation Initiative will benefit businesses like Gilben’s bakery as well as the surrounding areas. The owner of Gilben’s Bakery, Crystal Bradley will receive commercial corridor revitalization and support from city commerce officials similar to the support planned for under the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative. Bradley said, “Thanks to the city, our storefront and sidewalk are clean and orderly and our signage is attractive to our customers. It makes them feel comfortable to come and shop here. I’m very glad to hear the city plans to invest in commercial corridor revitalization all across Philadelphia.” Gilben’s Bakery is on a commercial corridor that the city has cleaned. The shop also received city aid for a new brick facade that allowed Bradley and her co-owner Crystal Brown to employ 10 more people in their store.

 In addition to helping businesses, Philadelphia’s new Neighborhood Preservation Initiative offers $400 million to support first-time home buyers, fund home repairs and create affordable housing. The plan also allocates $113 million to affordable housing production and $64.6 million to affordable housing preservation. In addition, $58 million will be used for programs supporting first-time home buyers and $38 million for those providing home repairs. All additional funding will go towards infrastructure improvements programs, permanent housing for people experiencing homeless, business revitalization, rent assistance, eviction prevention and tangle title support. Funding for the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative will come from tax-exempt and taxable bonds that will generate a total of approximately $400 million in program funds over four years. President of the City Council Darrell Clarke explained that the Council is predicting that the $400 million investment will spur a total of $2.6 billion in economic activity for the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. 

Clarke describes the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative as “the largest, single investment in Philadelphia neighborhoods in city history. For decades, neighborhoods like Juniata Park, West Oak Lane, Wynnefield and others didn’t need much support, as they were relatively stable. But a variety of economic factors have caused declines in our neighborhoods — and they need the city’s help and support.” With COVID-19 impacting the residents of the area economically, this initiative is important now more than ever and will benefit the entire city, but especially neighborhoods near La Salle University. 

Kylie McGovern, Editor

Beginning the week of September 5 2021, film crew set up around and inside the TruMark Financial Center and the surrounding areas to film the movie “Hustle” starring Adam Sandler. La Salle students gathered around the area and the excitement of the film to catch a glimpse of Sandler and his co-stars like Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster, Juancho Hernangomez, Jordan Hull, Maria Botto, Ainhoa Pillet and Kenny Smith. IMDb describes “Hustle” as a movie featuring “a washed-up basketball scout discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in China and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA.”

Filming for the movie began in October of last year and has taken place in areas around Philadelphia such as Coatesville Area High School, Center City Philadelphia, Market Street, the Italian Market, Manayunk and South Philadelphia. La Salle was the ideal location to film the movie because of the easy access to both the indoor and outdoor basketball courts. There were signs throughout La Salle’s campus directing people towards the set, which was located inside and outside of Tom Gola Arena near Founders Hall, on Olney Avenue and Wister Street, and near the Blue and Gold Commons. In addition to this, parking notices began to show up on Aug. 30, which stated, “Beginning this Thursday, Sept. 2, a large multi-day event will limit or prohibit parking in certain University-owned parking lots. Please see important information below regarding which lots will be affected and where you can access parking throughout the entirety

of the event.” This parking lot was then filled with trailers, cars, craft service trucks and tents to support and keep the movie’s cast and crew comfortable.

During Filming, the sidewalk between the St. Miguel Court townhouses and the TruMark Financial Center was packed with students waiting between classes to see the star. September 9 was Sandler’s birthday and students gathered about the set with signs and balloons. While waiting, Claire Ortiz, a sophomore, said “I was able to connect with the other students waiting and make friends with people I would not have met before bonding over our mutual love for Adam Sandler.” Students even waited in the rain to see Sandler on his 55th birthday. Later that afternoon, the La Salle students who waited to see Sandler were able to sing him “Happy Birthday.” Honored and surprised, Sandler filmed and posted the video of everyone singing to him on his Instagram account @adamsandler.

This video now has over two million views and over five hundred thousand likes. Unfortunately, some students missed seeing Sandler. Sophomore Grace McKenna said “I didn’t actually see him. I just waited out in the rain for a while.” But, some students were fortunate enough to meet Sandler and his bulldog Bagel. Bagel ran into the crowd and the students waiting got to pet him. In addition to the excitement of the students, Sandler himself enjoyed his time on 20th and Olney. A crew member reported to the crowd that Sandler “loves your campus.”

Rita Offutt, Editor

On Sunday, Sept. 5, interim university president Tim O’Shaughnessy authored an email to the La Salle community announcing that the university would transition to remote learning for the week of Tuesday, Sept. 7 to Friday, Sept. 10. O’Shaughnessy said, “this is a very difficult decision to make…your health and safety was the most important factor we considered.”

On Sept. 10, university officials met with student leaders to discuss the reason for moving online. Students in attendance represented the Collegian, Greek life, La Salle Ambassadors, the Student Government Association, Resident Student Association and several other organizations. O’Shaughnessy explained the circumstances leading up to the announcement, stating that when he left La Salle on Sept. 3 he was aware of four active cases of COVID-19 on campus and by the end of the day more than 30 cases had been reported. From these 30 cases, more than 800 students had been exposed to possible contact.

Scott Cook, the Vice President of Student Wellness, explained that the university decided to move online in order to gather information about how many cases were active and where transmission was stemming from. All but two cases were the result of social exposures. Cook also encouraged students not to compare La Salle’s decision with those of other Philadelphia schools, who may be larger and have integrated hospital systems. Cook advised students to take all symptoms seriously and get tested regularly if symptoms arise. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat and congestion. Symptoms can occur anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure.

La Salle returned to in-person learning on Monday, Sept. 13. In an email announcing the return to in-person, O’Shaughnessy said, “We have determined the spread is not only traceable, but manageable—particularly when considering our community’s high vaccination rate. We are confident it is safe to return to in-person learning. While I am pleased to share this news, this week serves as a reminder of our semester’s fragility. Even with a strong vaccination rate and the extensive health protocols that are in place, we remain vulnerable to this virus… The systems we have in place, all aimed at mitigating COVID-19’s spread, work best when we follow them. Please mask up, maintain social distancing, report when you are experiencing symptoms, and stay home if you are sick.”

As of Sept. 14, 86 percent of La Salle’s campus is fully vaccinated, and an additional 5.6 percent is partially vaccinated. Since Aug. 27, 109 cases have occurred on campus, impacting 70 residential students, 38 non-residential students, and one employee. Students experiencing symptoms or who have received should complete La Salle’s COVID-19 disclosure form.

Kylie McGovern, Editor

Header image: Tim O’Shaughnessy via @lasalleuniv on Instagram

On Monday, May 3, the La Salle University Board of Trustees and William Matthews sent an email to the Lasallian community announcing the new interim president. Previous Executive Vice President Tim O’Shaughnessy, ’85, will serve as the interim president beginning on June 1. This email announcement explained why the Board of Trustees was appointing an interim president rather than a permanent one and explained the process of finding a permanent president. 

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Matthews wished Dr. Hanycz success in her new position at Xavier University. The email read, “the Board thanks Dr. Hanycz for six years of outstanding service and dedication to La Salle and wishes her and her family well as she begins this next chapter in her personal and professional journey.” In addition, the Board of Trustees commended Dr. Hanycz’s “forward momentum” and they want to continue this success with the next president at La Salle. 

In terms of choosing an interim president rather than a permanent president, the Board of Trustees sees the presidential search process requiring a significant amount of time and thoroughness. O’Shaughnessy is not a candidate for the permanent position, but he will serve as interim president during the presidential search process. The Board of Trustees wanted an interim president with senior administrative experience, a knowledge of Philadelphian Catholic education, an understanding of La Salle University and a commitment to the Lasallian mission. Interim President O’Shaughnessy will bring all of these qualities to his role according to the Board.

As for the search for a permanent president, there will be opportunities for the entire La Salle community to participate in the national search for the University’s 30th President. There will be a committee composed of faculty, staff, students, Christian Brothers, Trustees and alumni to create a broad representation of the entire La Salle community. Nominations for the University Presidential Search Committee are open until May 17. The Board of Trustees expects that a search committee will be established by July 1. After the committee is formed there will be listening sessions with the La Salle community on campus during the Fall 2021 semester. The Board of Trustees’ goal is to find and announce a new president in 2022.