On March 12, Villanova students received new updates on the Cabrini Campus.
An email by Villanova University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A, Ph.D. announced the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Graduate Programs in the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the Department of Education and Counseling, the Ethics Program and a portion of the Department of Communication would move to Cabrini Campus in the Fall of 2026.
Villanova also announced plans to rename multiple Cabrini buildings to honor both Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini and Saint Augustine.
In June 2023, Cabrini declared closure at the end of the 2023- 24 academic year after facing “significant financial challenges, exacerbated by declining enrollment and the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to its closure announcement email.
Villanova bought the campus and eventually assumed ownership through a deal between the two schools. In a joint statement released in November of 2023, Villanova emphasized the importance of honoring the Cabrini legacy while finding ways to “incorporate and utilize the Cabrini campus for the benefit of its students, faculty, staff and alumni.”
The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Graduate programs will move to Iadarola Hall. Nursing students will have the opportunity to utilize a clinical simulation room.
Additionally, the Department of Education and Counseling, Ethics program, and a portion of the Department of Communication are set to move to Founders Hall.
The Cabrini Campus will also provide new housing opportunities for Villanova students.
“I think that it provides a solution to the issue of so many students not getting the housing they wanted or housing at all on campus,” junior Bryn McConnell said. “There’s, of course, going to be a lot more going on Cabrini’s campus, including classes, offices, a new dining facility, new recreational athletic facility. I think those are all great additions.”
Brooke Protesto, a senior and former Cabrini student, was initially upset by the email, but expressed gratitude that the campus would still have a purpose.
“As someone who adored Cabrini for what it was, it was painful to see it get, like, a whole new facelift,” Protesto said. “But that facelift is going to really improve the quality of life for Villanova students and for the employees that work on Cabrini campus currently.”
Protesto also discussed Woodcrest Mansion’s name change.
“I respect that they’re putting in a lot of work and still keeping the charm of it,” Protesto said. “I was a little upset that they were changing the name of the mansion from Woodcrest Mansion to Montefalco Hall. Since it’s a historical building, I don’t think they should change the name of it. But, I do respect what they’re doing with the campus.”
Future Cabrini Campus residents will have more student parking options. There is a parking garage located next to Bellesini Hall (formerly Founder’s Hall).
“I believe a shuttle will be running every five to 10 minutes between both campuses for very long hours,” McConnell said. “So in theory, transportation between campuses should be both, like, free and accessible for all students.”
The email also brought up questions for some students, such as freshman AJ Koukou.
“I’m definitely excited about it,” Koukou said. “You know, it’s definitely a good expansion for our school. I wish we had a little bit more information on what exactly is going to happen. I’ve only heard of rumors. I haven’t heard exact things of what’s going to happen here. So, I just want to know more about it.”
Villanova students can look forward to learning more about the future of the Cabrini Campus in the upcoming months from the University.
