It’s hard not to notice the many changes that have taken place on Cabrini’s campus over the past few months. With the erection of West Residence Hall, the new cuisine bars in Jazzman’s and the growing class sizes, it almost feels like we’re bursting at the seams.
To be honest, I had never heard of Cabrini College until a friend who attended the school suggested it to me. She said it wasn’t very well known but it was a nice small school with great professors and programs. The mysteriousness of the school intrigued me so I decided to check it out. When I first came to visit, I loved the fact that the campus was hidden by lush trees and I actually thought it was nice that Cabrini only really had one main road.
Now that road is hideously decorated with faculty member’s cars and the line in Jazzman’s is comparable to a wait for Space Mountain. Most are worried about the parking situation. Parking was a nightmare in years past, and I don’t see that problem being solved anytime soon. We have this beautiful new dorm, but not enough parking spaces for the residents who live there to park. The itty-bitty parking lot in the back of West Res must be a joke, because it surely will not serve all of the 138 students who will be living there this year.
I’m all for Cabrini expanding the campus and publicizing the school, but shouldn’t we have the proper facilities in order to accommodate the students? Dumping people at Valley Forge Military Academy shouldn’t be the answer. We should be able to have the facilities for students to live and learn on our own campus. If you’re going to accept some so many students, you need to be prepared for the havoc that those people will cause at a small-scale school. The administration needs to make up its mind about what kind of school it wants to be. In years past, Cabrini prided itself in being a small campus with a peaceful atmosphere. Now it seems the school is forcing its students, facility and staff into a direction we may not be ready for yet.
Now is a good time for Cabrini to slow down. It’s like a blossoming relationship: If you move too fast too soon, you could really set yourself up for an upset. Stop accepting so many students and let the school settle and get used to the changes. Perhaps build some parking lots and really figure out living accommodations.
I think most are all for Cabrini growing into a better-known and successful institution, be we need to figure out what kind of school we want to be. Do we want stay a smaller school or do we want to try and become a larger community? When I chose Cabrini, I knew I wanted a small school but now I think things are moving too fast.
I feel like the school is changing into a place that I didn’t sign up for. Let’s just take it slow, and see where it takes us.
