Rich History and Culture: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
From History to Hidden gem that you have to know about one of the best universities in Milan
By India Jones and Jessica Kwon
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore [UCSC], known locally as “Cattolica”, was founded in 1921 by Father Agostino Gemelli and other Italian Catholic intellectuals: Ludovico Necchi, Francesco Olgiati, Armida Barelli, and Ernesto Lombardo. Initially, the University was established as l’Istituto Giuseppe Toniolo di Studi Superiori (The Giuseppe Toniolo Institute of Superior Studies) in 1920, a proposal for Cattolica, and “victorious point of arrival for the Catholic movement” [quoted on ucsc.it] and, “for the entire Italian ecclesial community.” IGTSS stood until the founders received an approval decree from the Minister of Public Education in December of the following year, which solidified Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore as an institution. The university physically began in the palace of Luigi Canonica at via Sant’ Agnese 2, where its first two lectures were held: [Philosophical Sciences, and Social Sciences] before being transferred to the ancient Cistercian monastery where it now sits. Graduation diplomas began to hold legal value, as recognized by the Italian state, in 1924; the 12 faculties were then born over a course of 100 years.
UCSC expanded into the largest Catholic university in the World, and private Catholic school in Europe beginning in 1953 when the Piacenza campus was inaugurated. Faculties such as: Agriculture, Medicine and Surgery, Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences began to develop in the late ’50s and ’60s. These faculties developed into a number of 42 undergraduate degree programs, and 48 graduate degree programs. Cattolica soon established campuses in Rome, Brescia, and Cremona, forming a colossal student body which now stands at around 40,000 enrolled. Now, according to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore on YouTube, “87 different nationalities of international students or enrolled in degree courses were accepted this year. Most from the United States, Spain, and China.”
Within walking distance to Duomo [Piazza del Duomo, 20122, Milano], the architecture of Milan does not stop at the grand Cathedral. UCSC buildings are ancient, dating back to a renaissance and neoclassical origin. According to UCSC.it, the two cloisters in the Gemelli garden are “identical… one Doric and the other, Ionic. The whole building with its colonnades, corridors, its rooms is symmetric, perfect and extremely grand.” Thanks to Cardinal Ascanius Sforza and Duke Ludovico II Moro who appointed Italian architect, Donato Bramante to construct the columns, UCSC students experience the history and time of the renaissance whenever they enter the school. Although, architecture in Milan is not always perceived as “holy”. Outside Saint Ambrose church [Piazza Sant’Ambrogio, 15, 20123, Milano], is a white marble column with two holes that indent the side. Legend has it, the Devil pierced the column with his very horns. But, this superstition only adds to the culture and architecture of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and the city of Milan.
At Cattolica, students have unique superstitious related to graduating. People might think they are some kind of jokes, but students are serious and strict about these beliefs. First, students do not walk across the garden from one side to the other. Although they are late for school or class, want to rush to the cafeteria, or in hurry of going to the bathroom, students only walk along the hall. Students believe that if they make a shortcut through the garden, then they will not be able to graduate. Second, students never walk in between two columns which is located on the second floor of Gemelli Building. Same with walking across the garden, students believe that they will not be able to graduate on time if they walk in the middle of these two columns. Thus, Cattolica students squeeze themselves into a very narrow space in between a wall and the column. The university or professors have nothing to do with these. Students from the past created these “no graduation myths,” and it is still followed by current students in the school.
Aside from the myths, Università Cattolica has very unique school calendar in order to graduate. Carlotta Levrin, who is currently a third year student studying Business and Management for Cultural Heritage and Entertainment in Cattolica, explained that there is no daily homework or essay due, or at least for her, she never had one in the past two years. Amount of projects varies by faculties, but grades are mainly based on mid-term and final exam which are scored out of 30. There are several shocking and amazing systems here in Cattolica which students from different countries will envy and want to transfer to this school. First, in most classes, students can choose between oral and written tests. Students do not have to sit down for an hour to take a written exam, but they get to choose how they want to take the exam. Yet, this is just a beginning; students have two months of “exam season” from June to August (Final Exam) and from December to February (Mid-term). In these four months, they do not have classes, but students can choose when they want to take their test within those months. Here comes the best part: students have 5 chances to take their test. If they did not like their score from the first day, they can deny that score and pick another day to retake their exam. Basically, they have 5 chances to deny and confirm their scores. According to Carlotta, this exam system in Cattolica really helps students to actually study because they do not have to binge-study for one time exam to get a good score. Students get to actually think about what they are studying and make study materials to theirs. It demonstrates and proves that getting a good score and being a 4.0 student are not everything college students should strive to be.
In addition to studying, students in Cattolica do not only know how to study but also know how to enjoy school life with friends. Student organized clubs sell tickets to open wine parties and club parties at Old Fashion Club on Fridays or Saturdays during the school year. It is their way of relieving their stress from school. There is also a football (soccer) game where students cheer for Cattolica. Bocconi University which is located not too far from Università Cattolica is known for their rivalry. Interestingly, Cattolica does not have a school mascot, but Carlotta answered that they do not need any mascot because students in Cattolica are already united under the school’s name and very school spirited.
Since Cattolica is a catholic school, there is a hidden gem within the school where only girls can enter. It is named Giardino di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria (Garden of St. Catherine of Alexandria), or simply called Giardino delle Vergini (Virgin Garden). The garden is even guarded by securities to make sure that no male figure attempts to enter. During the summer time, the garden is very sunny and a beautiful place to hang out and relax or even study in peace without any distraction. If you are a woman, this is a must-visit garden in the school especially during summer.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is rich in both history and culture. With a policy of commitment and value of “the person, freedom of thought, society, and the future” as stated on the school’s website, Cattolica paves the way for education that lives past the school’s five campus. For international students, making themselves at home within the campus, if even for a few months, comes with ease. From 1921 to modern day, the students are united in the heart of their school — Cattolica.
