We are petitioning on behalf of the International Students at Villanova University who have come forward with several concerns. The majority of International Students at Villanova feel as though their experience at the University did not live up to either their expectations or what the university advertised. Villanova markets its sense of community that is driven by inclusion and compassion, yet in many aspects International Students do not feel included or cared for by the university as a whole. 

The directors of the International Student Office are extremely hard-working and dedicated to the students that they serve, but it seems as though they have not been well supported by the University Administration. International Students pay thousands of dollars to go here, the majority of them with no financial assistance, and yet their office does not have an adequate budget. The two people working in the International Student Office work around the clock, giving of their personal time, and money out of their own wallets to help support International Students. With just two people there is only so much they can do for the roughly 300 students they serve.

With this in mind, we propose the designation of a specific person in each office on campus to keep International Students in mind. This would not require any new hiring, for this designated person would only be asked to know the needs of International Students and consider them when making decisions or implementing programs. With this designated person, International Students could truly feel more included in the student body, with programs and initiatives that apply to them as well as national students.