Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
Dear Rider Community,
I want to share an important update regarding the Westminster Choir College property. As you may recall, in late 2024, the Municipality of Princeton began the legal process to acquire the property. As a government entity, the Municipality has the authority to take private property for public use at fair market value through the power of eminent domain.
Yesterday, the Municipality filed a document in court called a Declaration of Taking. Through this action, as permitted under the New Jersey law of eminent domain, the Municipality now owns the property and has taken immediate possession. This step provides clear direction for the property, bringing closure to a complex and long-standing issue.
The Westminster Conservatory of Music will continue to operate on the property through June 17 to conclude its semester. More details regarding the future operations of the Conservatory will be forthcoming.
Since moving to Lawrenceville in 2020, Westminster Choir College has continued to build upon its renowned tradition of musical excellence, leveraging expanded resources and academic opportunities, as well as becoming more unified within the broader University community. Students are learning from Grammy Award-winning faculty, collaborating with world-class guest artists and showcasing their talents through a number of performances.
While higher education enrollment trends have evolved over the years, Westminster has demonstrated resilience. Recent enrollment patterns indicate early signs of stabilization, and the institution is well-positioned for gradual growth in the coming years. By focusing on student engagement and strengthening academic offerings, Westminster is poised to attract and retain students, ensuring a sustainable future.
As this process moves ahead, our focus remains on Rider’s future — ensuring the continued success of our students, faculty and staff. We are optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to devoting our full attention to advancing the University’s strategic priorities.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Rider University.
Sincerely,
Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D.
President