Villanova University is a Catholic Augustinian community of higher education, committed to excellence and distinction in the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge. Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, the University is grounded in the wisdom of the Catholic intellectual tradition and advances a deeper understanding of the relationship between faith and reason.  Villanova emphasizes and celebrates the liberal arts and sciences as foundational to all academic programs.  The University community welcomes and respects members of all faiths who seek to nurture a concern for the common good and who share an enthusiasm for the challenge of responsible and productive citizenship in order to build a just and peaceful world.

Enduring Commitments

In pursuit of this mission, we commit ourselves to academic excellence, to our values and traditions, and to our students, alumni and the global community.

To foster academic excellence, we as a University:

• Create a diverse community of scholars, united and dedicated to the highest academic standards;
• Emphasize the liberal arts and sciences as our foundation and foster in our students active engagement, critical thinking, life-long learning, and moral reflection;
• Concern ourselves with developing and nurturing the whole person, allowing students, faculty and staff to grow intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, culturally, socially, and physically in an environment that supports individual differences and insists that mutual love and respect should animate every aspect of university life;
• Encourage interdisciplinary research, teaching and scholarship;
• Affirm the intrinsic good of learning, of contemplation, and the search for truth in undergraduate and graduate education;
• Support a curriculum that encourages both a global perspective and an informed respect for the differences among peoples and cultures.

To honor our values and tradition, we as a Catholic University:

• Believe that the dialogue between faith and reason drives the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and fosters St. Augustine’s vision of learning as a community ethos governed by love;
• Seek to understand, enrich, and teach the Catholic intellectual tradition through our curricula, scholarship and activities in ways that engage diverse religious, intellectual and cultural traditions in a vigorous and respectful pursuit of truth and wisdom in every area of humanity;
• Provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff to seek guidance from Catholic intellectual and moral traditions, while always welcoming people from all faiths, cultures, and traditions to contribute their gifts and talents to our mission;
• Respect and encourage the freedom proposed by St Augustine, which makes civil discussion and inquiry possible and productive;
• Look to the Order of St. Augustine to preserve our Augustinian character, by showing appropriate preference to Augustinians in faculty and staff appointments, and by welcoming their presence and influence in our university community.

To serve our students, alumni and global community, we as an Augustinian University:

• Encourage students, faculty, and staff to engage in service experiences and research, both locally and globally, so they learn from others, provide public service to the community, and help create a more sustainable world;
• Commit to the common good, and apply the knowledge and skills of our students and faculty to better the human condition;
• Encourage our students and faculty to pursue virtue by integrating love and knowledge, and by committing themselves to research and education for justice, with a special concern for the poor and compassion for the suffering;
• Respect a worldview that recognizes that all creation is sacred, and that fosters responsible stewardship of the environment;
• Include our alumni as an integral part of the Villanova community;
• Value highly our relationship with neighboring communities.

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2. University Structure

President and Board of Trustees

Full legal jurisdiction in all that pertains to the University is vested in the Board of Trustees, which is comprised of no fewer than twenty and no more than thirty members. Of these, no fewer than nine are to be members in good standing of the Order of Saint Augustine of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. The President of the University is ex officio a member of the Board.

The President is responsible to the Board as the executive head of the University and is responsible for the general direction of its affairs. The President performs all such duties as are provided for the By-Laws of the Board of Trustees, those assigned by the Board of Trustees, and those which are necessary and proper for the performance of the office. As appropriate, the President delegates certain authority to the Vice Presidents.

The President and Vice Presidents serve at the discretion of the Board. All other administrative officers serve at the discretion of the President.

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Office of the President

In addition to the offices of the various Vice Presidents, a number of programs report directly to the President, including the following:

The School of Law provides an opportunity for students to develop a comprehensive understanding of Anglo-American Law in the Common Law tradition, and also provides a thorough grounding in the federal and state statutory and administrative developments necessary for the practice of law. Although the School of Law is directed by a dean, within the University this individual operates at the same level as the various Vice-Presidents of the University and reports directly to the President.

The Department of Athletics provides opportunities for the University community to participate in varsity, intramural, club, and recreational sports programs. In terms of its student athletics programs, the department seeks athletic success without compromising academic standards. The Athletics Department views the academic and personal development of every student-athlete as a primary goal, and it sees athletics programs as complementing classroom experiences by promoting discipline, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of fairness. Faculty members who have questions either about the Athletics program or about student-athletes should contact the Athletic Office. The Director of Athletics reports directly to the President.

The Office of University Information Technologies (UnIT) supports the educational processes of the University and improves operational efficiency and management effectiveness by providing technology tools and access to timely and accurate information. UnIT's goals can be summarized as follows: facilitate information retrieval and sharing; provide access to technology tools to advance learning, teaching, research, and operations; enhance operational efficiency and effective management through the use of state-of-the-art technology tools and access to timely and consistent information; and enable and promote electronic communication within the University and with regional, national, and international communities. The Vice President for Technology and Chief Technical Officer directs this office and reports directly to the President.

The Office of Planning and Institutional Research conducts studies and offers technical assistance in support of educational excellence, strategic planning, assessment and evaluation.  OPIR also manages the CATS data collection/analysis/reporting system including preparing special reports.  In addition, OPIR collects certain externally mandated data and data for professional organizations.

Academic Affairs

The educational work of the University is under the direction of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, which includes the following offices:

Colleges and Deans.  The various colleges of the University – Arts and Sciences, Engineering, School of Business, and Nursing -- are supervised by the deans who report directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The deans direct their individual colleges, supervise department chairs and program directors in their colleges, and also advise the Vice President for Academic Affairs on policy questions that transcend the work of the individual colleges. Within the colleges and under the supervision of the deans are departments consisting of all those faculty members who are engaged in instructional, administrative, or research work in a given subject under a department chair. The College of Nursing is organized by programs. A department may serve students registered in more than one college of the University. Other academic and academic support units, including those involved in interdisciplinary studies, are supervised by directors appointed by the deans in consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Under the direction of the college deans, department chairs function as leaders of their departments and also as spokespersons for both the administration and for their faculty. They take an active role in planning the future of their departments, and are also responsible for evaluation of the work of their colleagues. In addition to their own teaching, they advise students and manage the support staff. Descriptions of the specific duties and functions of the chair are promulgated by the deans of the several colleges (see "Role of Department Chair". Departmental chairs are ordinarily appointed by the President on the advice of the department under the procedures set forth in the "Protocol for the Periodic Selection of Chairs." Program directors in the College of Nursing are appointed by the dean, with approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The college deans and the Dean of Enrollment Management are members of the Council of Deans.  That council, along with the University Librarian, a representative from Student Life, and the Dean of Graduate Studies of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences comprise the Vice President for Academic Affairs' Advisory Council.

The Division of Part-time and Continuing Studies coordinates evening classes for students enrolled on a part-time basis in undergraduate degree and certificate programs.  The Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Part-Time and Continuing Studies directs the Division, which also is responsible for summer sessions and for non-credit Continuing Education programs and courses. 

The Office of Career Services provides vocational counseling and assistance to students, alumni, and other members of the University community.  It maintains an extensive library of career fields, graduate education, employer directories, and related subjects.  It is a centralized source of full, part-time, and summer employment leads.  The Center administers the on-campus interviewing program and provides credentialing service.0 

All matters pertaining to student recruitment, financial aid, registration, and student academic records fall under the supervision of the Dean of Enrollment Management.  The Associate Dean for University Admissions and Financial Assistance supervises the activities of the Admissions office and works with the committees on admissions, which are responsible for evaluating the credentials of applicants for admission according to University standards.  The Associate Dean also manages issues having to do with financial aid.  

The Associate Dean for Student Information and Registrar has charge of the academic records of students past and present.  In cooperation with the deans, the Registrar is responsible for directing the registration of students, for preparing student grade reports, and for scheduling classes and examinations.  The Registrar is the principal liaison officer between the University and the various government agencies that require certification of student status.

The Director of International Studies supervises the International Studies Office, which provides information and assistance to students who wish to study overseas for summer semester, or year programs in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East.  This office also administers Villanova’s summer overseas study programs.

The Director of Learning Support Services works with students diagnosed with learning disabilities, providing appropriate accommodations and support services.  The Director also advises faculty members and administrators on appropriate accommodations for students with learning disabilities.

The Director of the Library, who is also designated as the University Librarian, is responsible for the overall administration of Falvey Memorial Library.  The Director focuses on the strategic relevance of the library to learning and research in the digital age and works with librarians, library staff, faculty members, the Library Committee, and student advisory groups to develop library collections, services and facilities that extend and enhance the university’s commitment to academic excellence and to a rich community intellectual life. 

The Assistant Vice-President for Research and Sponsored Projects serves as the University’s Research Director and is responsible for providing University-wide leadership in the development, negotiation, and administration of externally funded grants and contracts.  The Research Director acts as a liaison between the University and potential funding agencies and coordinates the processing and transmittal of proposals to sponsors.  The Director is responsible for facilitating and enhancing the proposal submission process by providing information on funding sources and overseeing the University's compliance with federal, foundation, and corporate regulations.  The Director administers the Faculty Summer Research Program, the Human Subjects Committee, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the patent and copyright endeavors of the University as well as the day-to-day maintenance of grant and contract accounts.

The Director of the Villanova Institute for Teaching and Learning supervises the VITAL office which provides and coordinates resources for faculty members who are interested in helping their students become more effective learners.  Among the services offered are confidential consultations and classroom observations, workshops, and mini-grants.  A library/resource center contains materials related to teaching and learning.

The Office of Academic Support for Athletes provides supplemental athletic support to all Villanova varsity student-athletes.  (Primary academic advising is provided by the regular advising system of each individual student-athlete's college).  The Academic Support staff acts as a liaison between the academic and athletic communities.  The staff also monitors the academic progress of all student-athletes to assure that University and NCAA regulations are being met and that progress is being made toward graduation.  The office also supervises tutoring and mentor services for student-athletes.

The Faculty Congress discusses all matters of interest to the faculty and, where appropriate, passes resolutions expressing its opinion on such matters.  While resolutions may be sent to any Administrative Officer, the Faculty Congress has a direct consultative line to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  The Faculty Congress is responsible for coordinating the activities of the faculty representatives on the University Senate, the Academic Policy Committee, and the Committee on Faculty.  Those representatives, in turn, will advise the Faculty Congress on relevant matters which come before the governance bodies on which they serve.  The Faculty Congress nominates faculty representatives to several committees of the Board of Trustees and conducts elections for faculty positions on various University bodies.  The Congress has forty members: seven full-time faculty members elected at-large by the full-time faculty; two adjunct faculty members elected at-large by the adjunct faculty; and one retired faculty member elected by the retired faculty.  The remaining thirty members are the members of the Academic Policy Committee and the Committee on Faculty, who are themselves elected by their various constituencies. 

The Academic Policy Committee of the University Senate has authority to recommend policy for the Senate in academic matters affecting more than one college of the University, and also has a direct line to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the discussion and resolution of academic issues not requiring University Senate action.  The Academic Policy Committee consists of sixteen elected faculty members (six of whom are also University Senators); six undergraduate students; two graduate students; Vice President for Academic Affairs; the Deans of the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Nursing and Business; and the Dean of Graduate Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Committee on Faculty is a committee of both the University Senate and the Faculty Congress.  It has authority to recommend policy to the Senate in all major areas of faculty welfare significantly affecting the University as a whole.  The Committee also has a direct line to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the discussion and resolution of faculty issues not requiring University Senate action.  The Committee on Faculty consists of fourteen elected faculty members (five of whom are also University Senators and one of whom shall be the Vice Chair of the Faculty Congress).  The Vice President for Academic Affairs is an ex officio member.

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Administration and Finance

The Vice President for Administration and Finance advises the President on administrative and financial issues and supervises all of the administrative and financial operations of the University.   These operations include: Financial Affairs, Auxiliary Services, Human Resources, Facilities Management, and Public Safety.

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University Communication

The Office of University Communication, under the direction of the Vice President for University Communication promotes the positive image and reputation of Villanova University by communicating the University's messages and achievements to various constituencies.  The Office publicizes student, faculty, and alumni achievements to both internal and external communities.  University Communication may ask faculty members to speak about areas of expertise with the media and/or with members of our staff. 

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General Counsel

The Vice President and General Counsel supervises the Office of the General Counsel which handles the legal issues and problems that confront the University.

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Mission and Ministry

The Office of Mission and Ministry, under the direction of the Vice President for Mission and Ministry, works to facilitate Villanova's commitment to living out its mission in every facet of University life.  The Office promotes an inclusive vision of the Catholic intellectual tradition; coordinates a variety of initiatives relating to the University’s Augustinian heritage and Catholic Social Teaching; encourages programs and research on contemporary problems; ensures that the spiritual and sacramental needs of Catholic students are met; and extends the Augustinian mission and the work of Villanova University in ways which will assure its contribution to the continued social and spiritual transformation of our world.

Campus Ministry serves the University in the expression of Augustinian spirituality and Roman Catholic identity, the development of communal life in an atmosphere of religious faith, the fostering of Christian values within the community and the institution, and the promulgation of an ethic of service.  The campus ministry team serves many of the religious and spiritual needs of the faculty through campus liturgies, and service and educational programs.

The Augustinian Institute serves “as an agent and resource to support its efforts to give Augustine’s thought a vibrant and integral place within Villanova’s academic and community life, and allows that voice of Augustine to continue to speak effectively to today’s world.”

The Villanova/Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Partnership is a collaboration that is integrated into the structures of each institution in conformity with each institution's culture.  The partnership leads to knowledgeable and empowered constituencies who are formed by Catholic social thought and tradition and who live their faith in solidarity with the poor of the world.

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Student Life

The Vice President for Student Life administers and supervises functions and activities relative to student co-curricular life.

The Center for Multicultural Affairs assists and supports the University in its mission of being a community of people who share common values and whose culture reflects the Augustinian spirit.  The Center also engages in collaborative planning and research with all areas of the University, in meeting its commitment to work for peace and justice with the University community and the world.

The Dean of Students is responsible for promulgating and upholding community standards for the student community, as well as serving as a liaison with various University constituencies including parents, Public Safety, Residence Life staff, and local township officials and civic associations and coordinating the University's alcohol education and intervention programs. This office also coordinates services for international students and students with physical disabilities.

The Office for Residence Life collaborates with a variety of offices to provide residential students with a clean, safe, attractive, and educationally purposeful living environment.

The Office of Student Development supervises and coordinates co-curricular student activities, emphasizing leadership skills to make free-time activity a cooperative factor with study and education, and encouraging self-directed activity giving maximum opportunity for self-realization and growth.

The Office of Music Activities promotes, maintains, and supervises the efforts of student performing groups on the Villanova campus and also sponsors concerts on campus.

The Student Health Center provides the services of physicians, nurse-practitioners and registered nurses for consultation and treatment each weekday. Nurses are continually on duty during the academic year, except for undergraduate vacation periods.

The University Counseling Center with its professional staff of counseling psychologists provides personal counseling for full and part-time students, full-time faculty, and staff. Both personal and group counseling are available. All contacts and conversations are kept confidential except in situations where law or ethics require notification of a family member or other person.

The Center for Health and Wellness Education provides campus-wide wellness initiatives. The Center provides education on various topics so that students can make appropriate choices for healthy living. In collaboration with many departments, the Center offers educational programs on issues such as Alcohol and Drugs, Sexual Assault, Sexual Health, Stress Management, Fitness and Nutrition.

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University Advancement

The Vice President for University Advancement is responsible for directing the University's interaction with many aspects of the external community.

Under the Vice President’s direction, the Office of Alumni Relations plans and manages a comprehensive program of volunteer engagement, special events, communications, and services to develop lifelong connections with more than 100,000 living alumni.  Working with the volunteer leadership of the Villanova University Alumni Association, the Office coordinates the activity of more than 70 regional, academic, professional, fraternal, and class-year based volunteer organizations.  The Office maintains individual profiles on the University’s alumni, plans and distributes electronic communications to alumni and parents, and manages the University’s annual Homecoming and Reunion Weekend celebrations.

The Office of University Development supervises and coordinates all major components of a comprehensive development program. The fund-raising areas include major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, and annual giving. The administrative support activities include prospect management, gift and pledge processing, donor research, donor relations, and gift stewardship.

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University Senate

The Villanova University Senate is the University's formal legislative body whose purpose is to effect greater participation in the decision-making processes of Villanova for faculty members, students, administrators, and alumni. The University Senate has authority to legislate in numerous matters and it may recommend standards for faculty compensation, fringe benefits, faculty social and working conditions, and faculty duties and obligations to the University. It may also express general opinion on any matter of faculty concern. Faculty members serve on the following Senate committees: the Executive Committee, The Academic Policy Committee, the Athletic Advisory Committee, the Budget Committee, the Committee on Faculty, the Rules and Review Committee, the Committee on Mission and Social Justice, The Student Life/Student Government Committee, and the University Planning and Priorities Committee.

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