No Good Time to Close a University
Preview:
There is no good time in the calendar year to announce a closure of a university. Such an announcement will be immediately met with a vast array of feelings ranging from anger to grief, all of which should be validated.
We considered a variety of factors in planning for the June 2023 announcement of Cabrini University’s impending closure. We planned to offer on-site and virtual counseling and mental health support for students and employees and created in advance a website with video content, a press release and FAQs for employees, students, alumni and donors. Leaders who would be delivering the news and answering questions received training from crisis communication professionals, helping them to be emotionally and mentally prepared for a potentially hostile and volatile response.
Originally published: February 26, 2025
Author: Helen Drinan
Position: Interim President
Institution: Cabrini University
Published by: Inside Higher Ed