The Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (CWSL) is committed to creating an inclusive environment through the main programs of the Office of Unitas Community Building. The goal is to provide students from diverse backgrounds with a positive experience.
For many years, the CWSL has been and remains committed to helping develop a more enlightened, skilled, culturally competent, and socially responsible community for all students. The Office of Unitas Community Building was established to continue this commitment. The Office has five major objectives:
The director of the Unitas Community Building office is responsible for working with senior administration, student organizations, faculty advisors, and other opportunities within the Villanova Community. The director is responsible for assisting in the recruitment and retention of faculty and staff, conducting fundraising for Unitas Community Programs, and creating and promoting events that build CWSL goals and objectives. Helping student organizations work on various projects within the CWSL and with VU departments that share the community-building objective for other students.
The director reports to the Vice Dean of CWSL and assists in addressing any negative challenges or activities identified by students, staff, or faculty that are reported within the CWSL or filed with the main Villanova Unitas Office of Community Enrichment.
DEI NEWSLETTER
At least once a month, details about ongoing projects, meetings with affinity group leaders, and other major DEI issues will be included in the DEI Newsletter distributed to the CWSL community.
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
The CWSL DEI Office plans events and programming based on student concerns and preferences identified by faculty and staff. The goal is to emphasize important methods for achieving a solid environment, and to include the relevance of DEI in any legal education activities. Suggestions are based on current challenges identified by advisory organizations, legal employers, and all affinity groups.
INVESTIGATIONS OF REPORTED ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
The Villanova ODEI office has a procedure for students to report any environmental concerns they are experiencing or have observed. In addition to the official reporting process established and maintained by the ODEI office, the CWSL DEI office assists in the investigation of any reported incidents and receives informal concerns expressed by the law school population. The CWSL DEI office will advise students about issues they are experiencing and work to resolve any problems identified.
Heritage and History Month observances help introduce students to the history and current status of affinity groups. For students looking to join the legal profession, it also provides an opportunity to promote diversity in the profession, and the goal is to include more lawyers from marginalized groups to serve a diverse community.
The observance of history and Heritage Month events is influenced by national observances, choices of local affinity groups, and any social challenges faced by marginalized groups.
Here is the current History and heritage month list:
September
Hispanic/Latine History Month
October
LGBTQIA History Month
Italian American History Month
November
Native American Heritage Month
February
Black History Month
Muslim Americans Heritage Month
March
Women's History Month
April
Arab American Heritage Month
May
Asian Pacific American Month
June
Jewish Heritage Month
*Other observances can be added as identified by the affinity groups or changes in the traditional calendar.