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August 23, 2025

Dear ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Families,

This academic year is beginning in a way we never imagined. The start of a new semester is often a mix of emotions: Excitement, anticipation and even some apprehension of the unknown, especially for our first-year students and their families. All these feelings are typical, and yet what we experienced on Thursday afternoon and evening was far from typical.

Thankfully, our greatest fears were not realized and the report was discovered to be a hoax. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the incident. Nevertheless, the events of Thursday were very real and frightening for everyone on campus.

We sent a communication on Thursday evening and another on Friday morning to students to offer support and updates on moving forward. They are linked here. Yesterday, our focus was on our students, learning what was needed, providing support and seeking to come back strong in the face of a horrible situation at the start of the school year.

Today we are reaching out to you, our families. We realize that stressful events can impact us in different ways. These are the ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ resources for support or assistance that we have shared with all students:

• Availability of the Resident Assistants, especially on Thursday evening;
• Mission and Ministry, including a Mass yesterday and open time for reflection or conversation later yesterday;
• The University Counseling Center, including Uwill, the University’s telehealth counseling partner available to students 24 hours a day, year-round, at no cost;
• Orientation and Residence Life staff members available to continue to check in with students who may need a little additional support and care; and
• The Student Health Center, which is open 24/7.

We also have ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ resources available to you:

• Should you have a concern about your student, please email parents@villanova.eduÌý´Ç°ù deanofstudents@villanova.eduÌýand the appropriate person will follow up with your child.
• You can join our Parent and Family Mailing List by filling out .Ìý
• You may also followÌýthe instructions on our Parent and Family websiteÌýto sign up to receive NOVA Alerts from ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥.Ìý

For those of you who were here on Thursday, you too have suffered an emotional ordeal after the distressing events that unfolded. I ask that you remember to take care of yourself as well and seek the support and care that you may need from your home community resources.

Despite the events of this week, I am heartened by the love and care we have seen from the entire ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ community—from your daughters and sons, to the Orientation staff, to the Resident Assistants, to ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥â€™s Police and Public Safety, to our faculty, our staff and you, our families. You have reached out with care, prayer, thoughts and ideas that show your commitment to this community as well. I feel a genuine hopefulness that this week’s events will not define this year, but that ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥â€™s values of love and respect will continue to lift us up and define us.

I feel ever grateful to you and for your patience as we navigate these waters. We promise to do everything we can to take care of your children. As Father Peter said on Thursday evening, you have given them roots, and we shall help them find their wings.

May Peace and Blessings be with you,

Kathleen J. Byrnes, JD
Vice President for Student Life