On Jan. 23 and 24, Villanova staged a host of tours catered to current first-year students to introduce them to the new Cabrini campus, and here’s the takeaway: living there is not going to be that bad.
The round-trip bus tour included a walk-through of three residence halls, the Dixon fitness center, a preview of the new cafe and dining options, as well as free goodies, like iced coffee and Villanova-branded beanies. Around 50 percent of incoming sophomores are expected to live at Cabrini this fall, an announcement that caused mixed reactions. The tours were a clear attempt to entice a section of the student body that isn’t entirely keen on being displaced three miles away from most of their classes, SEPTA stations, Wawa and an overall sense of familiarity.
Throughout the 2.5-hour tour, a guide spoke on a microphone, outlining the logistics for next year’s shift and fielded questions on everything from the allergen-free dining program to Zipcars. Students eagerly snuck a peek at the brand new full-sized kitchens and living rooms, taking videos and chatting with friends about future design plans.
I understand the hesitancy about living far away, cut off from half of one’s class, and dependent on a shuttle system that has no merit yet. Still, there’s plenty to be excited about. The entire campus is enveloped in a wooded area, tucked away between neighborhoods in a way that resembles the main Villanova campus, just without bustling Lancaster Ave. The suites and apartments exceed the quality and size of their Commons and West counterparts, and even some of the traditional double rooms are situated in clusters with semi-private bathrooms, ensuring that friend groups can live together even if they don’t score one of the former options. The lounges are modern and well-furnished with pool tables, which are an otherwise rare sight to see if you don’t live on West campus. Moreover, our current Davis fitness center pales in comparison to Cabrini’s Dixon center with its state-of-the-art dance studio, suspended indoor running track and the brand new fitness equipment expected to arrive later this year.
It may be hard to envision living there in its current state, I’ll admit. Construction is still underway everywhere, and students have little to no exposure to the campus aside from perhaps the brief visit for Special Olympics last semester. No other class in the history of Villanova has experienced a transition like this before, and students with preset expectations of how their sophomore year was going to look may feel at a loss for what to do. Despite all this, I implore everyone to keep in mind that this is part of what college is about. It means being open to trying new things and discovering what you do and don’t like. It means developing independence and adaptation skills through unexpected situations, and relocating to Cabrini is an excellent opportunity to improve on these things with friends at your side. Ultimately, it has the potential to feel like the most quintessential college experience yet.
In an email sent to the Villanova community on Oct. 23, University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. shared that “community members are working tirelessly to ensure the Cabrini Campus reflects the same warmth and energy that define Villanova. Residence halls are being renovated, recreation facilities are being refreshed, dining spaces reimagined, and academic areas renewed—all with the goal of creating a vibrant student experience rooted in our Augustinian Catholic tradition.”
There are still many who are apprehensive about the adjustment, which is extremely fair. Sheehan and Sullivan Halls in the Quad are still expecting the more than 800 sophomores they usually house, and with how desirable and spacious Cabrini living is set to be, I’m sure those who are searching for the more traditional Villanova sophomore housing won’t have an issue finding their space for a lovely year in the Quad.
However, it seems that the tours did their jobs well. The consensus is an anxious excitement to be the first Villanovans living at Cabrini, an attitude well-earned by the administration for all the efforts put into making it an attractive transition. As students move in this August and the campus comes alive, I’m sure the frustration once felt by so many will be long forgotten.
