Last year, it was revealed that Villanova had purchased Cabrini College with the goal of transforming it into a satellite campus that offered more housing, dining and recreation options for students. Since that purchase was made, Villanova has introduced an extensive number of new facilities that will become available to students in the Fall of 2026. However, with this proposed rollout, the new Cabrini campus will create separation within our tight-knit community. So, while it is expanding resources for students, it may not be worth it in the long run.
The main goal of new housing options on Cabrini’s campus is to increase the number of residence halls for students. This goal has noble intentions: create housing opportunities for all students to be able to live on campus. However, expanding housing options at a completely different campus may not be the solution. While now Villanova will have six new residence halls and one-apartment style buildings available for students, their inconvenient locations may not be beneficial for students at all.
There have been plans to move some portions of the sophomore class over to Cabrini’s campus. While logistically this makes the most sense, moving a majority of the sophomore class to a different campus will lessen the close-knit nature of Villanova’s campus. For example, having to take a shuttle to get to meetings for clubs and organizations late at night may dissuade students from continuing their involvement.
In addition to new housing, it was also announced that several academic programs will be making Cabrini their new home. In an email sent to members of the Villanova community on Oct. 23, it was confirmed that the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Fitzpatrick College of Nursing Graduate Programs, the Department of Education & Counseling and the Ethics Program will be located at Cabrini next fall. With this comes student concern. How will scheduling be structured to accommodate the transportation time between the two campuses? Say a student has a class on Main Campus and then one on Cabrini’s right after. Will it be possible to make it in time?
Villanova has expresserd that a premier shuttle bus system will provide direct transportation between the campuses from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week with shuttles leaving every five to 10 minutes and on-demand service operating 24-hours. However, is that reliable when navigating the maximum of 15 minutes allocated between neighboring classes on your schedule? With lapses in the current shuttle schedule, it is difficult for students to get on board with the idea that this will be entirely changed.
The last two major innovations to campus that will come to Villanova with the Cabrini Campus are the Dixon Center and Cascia Hall. Per the same email, “Cascia Hall, located in the heart of campus, is a vibrant student center with numerous dining options, a coffee shop, a convenience store, a student lounge and as a satellite University Shop.” In addition, “the Dixon Center boasts 100,000 square feet of recreation space, including an indoor pool; basketball courts; golf simulation room; an outdoor turf playing field; a suspended indoor track and a fitness center.” Hopefully, these additions will allow Cabrini to feel like a “home away from home” for students who live there next year. However, only time will tell.
Villanova’s addition of the Cabrini campus represents both exciting change and a possible shift to Villanova’s community. Cabrini’s new housing, academic spaces, and recreation facilities aim to enhance student life and increase the student population, but they also risk creating a divide between those on Main campus and those on Cabrini. The campus’ success will depend on how well Villanova can maintain its standards across two separate locations by ensuring that every student, no matter which campus they call home, feels the power of the Villanova experience.
