With the approval of the New York State Board of Regents on July 24, NYU is delighted now to have in place a formal affiliation with the Polytechnic Institute of NYU (formerly Polytechnic University). This affiliation - a crucial step towards a merger of the two institutions, when Poly will become a school of NYU - re-connects NYU to engineering and technology research and education, connects Poly to a research University of international stature and reach, and - by connecting basic science scholars with engineers and technology researchers - holds the promise of markedly enhancing New York City's reputation as a center for technology development.
Members of both communities have been interested in what will change and what will remain the same in achieving this much-desired affiliation. Below, we have prepared a set of questions and answers we hope will give you a better understanding of how our two institutions will interact at the outset of the promising future we believe this affiliation will bring.
David McLaughlin
Provost, NYU
Erich Kunhardt
Provost, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
IF I ATTEND NYU:
Can I take classes at Poly? If so, how many? Will Poly classes be counted in the number of classes I am allowed to take outside of my NYU school? How soon can I start?
Yes, NYU students can take classes at Poly starting immediately. The number of courses allowed depends on the policies of the individual NYU schools. For example, for CAS students, the Poly courses will count toward the maximum 16 credits of non-CAS courses that they can apply automatically to their CAS degree. As always, students who wish to take more than 16 credits outside of CAS may petition the CAS Academic Standards Committee. Students can start taking courses at Poly once they are beyond their freshman year.
What classes can I take at Poly? Only engineering?
NYU students can take advantage of a wide range of course offerings at Poly, including, but not limited to, engineering, technical communication, transportation studies, science and technology studies, and integrated media studies. Before Poly courses can count toward an NYU major or minor, they must be approved by the relevant department in the student's NYU School.
What's the procedure for taking classes at Poly? Are there GPA/SAT requirements, or can anyone do it?
Before registering, students are required to meet with their NYU adviser to determine whether the Poly courses in question are an appropriate fit for their academic programs. There are no specific GPA or SAT requirements, but students must be in good academic standing, meet all prerequisites of the Poly courses, and be approved by an advisor from the Poly faculty.
How will Poly courses be reflected on my transcript? Will grades earned in Poly courses be included when my cumulative NYU grade point average is calculated?
During the initial years of the affiliation, courses taken at Poly will be considered as transfer credit; thus, the grade earned will not be used when calculating the NYU grade point average.
If I take classes at Poly, do they cost less (i.e., at Poly's tuition rate)?
NYU undergraduate students will pay the regular NYU tuition; they would normally take Poly courses within the flat-fee NYU tuition range (12-18 points).
What new majors/degrees will be offered in conjunction with Poly?
Although none are available yet, new majors, programs, or other curricular initiatives in conjunction with Poly are being developed.
Where is Poly? How long does it take to get there? What safety precautions have been taken?
Poly is located in the MetroTech Center of Brooklyn, near Borough Hall. It is easily accessible by subway from the Washington Square and Union Square areas of Manhattan; with any of six different subway lines, the trip takes about half an hour. The area is well lighted and each Poly building entrance is staffed with security guards. In addition, the Business Improvement District surrounding Poly (MetroTech BID) has its own security staff and the 84th precinct is located nearby.
Are there research opportunities for NYU students with Poly faculty? How will we know about these?
NYU students can apply for research opportunities at Poly, especially for ones available in the summer. Information regarding such opportunities is included in the online undergraduate research database maintained by CAS (http://cas.nyu.edu/page/ug.research) but is open to all NYU undergraduate students; it is also communicated by emails to majors in relevant areas.
What does this new affiliation mean for the NYU 3-2 program with Stevens? Are you going to continue to admit students for the Stevens program for 2009? When will this program be discontinued? Will NYU engineering majors still receive dual degrees, or will this new affiliation eliminate the dual degree option? If the option is eliminated, what degree will NYU engineering students receive and from whom?
Students will be accepted into the Stevens program at least through the fall of 2008 and students already in the program will be permitted to complete the program. The NYU program with Stevens is a quality program that has existed for many years. Now, the new NYU-Poly affiliation creates fresh opportunities to explore invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship in science and technology and capitalize on abundant strengths of NYU and Poly. These opportunities are the basis for a new 3-2 program being developed.
Will I get a Poly ID?
No. Poly accepts the NYU ID for access to their buildings, including classrooms, research laboratories, and library. You will be asked to show your NYU ID and sign in at the building entrance.
Will I be competing for residence hall space with Poly students? Is it possible that I could be assigned a Poly residence hall rather than an NYU residence hall?
NYU students will not be competing with Poly students for residence hall space, and they will not be assigned to a Poly residence hall.
What are the implications of the affiliation for NYU graduate students?
NYU graduate students may collaborate with Poly faculty and take Poly courses. At this time, arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis through discussions between the studentŐs advisors and graduate programs.
IF I ATTEND POLY:
Am I an NYU student, or a Poly student? When does that change?
Polytechnic Institute of NYU (Poly) is affiliated with NYU (vs. being fully consolidated as a school). During the affiliation period, you are a student of Poly. After the consolidation, students will be NYU students.
Do I pay Poly's tuition or NYU's tuition?
Poly students will pay the prevailing Poly tuition.
Can I take classes at NYU? If so, how many? Will classes in all NYU schools be open to me? How soon after enrolling at Poly can I start taking classes at NYU? Will I need approval from Poly to take NYU classes? Will NYU classes count toward a Poly degree?
Yes, Poly students can take classes at NYU, starting immediately. The number of courses allowed depends on Poly policies and the requirements of the academic program in which the Poly student is enrolled. Depending on the student's academic requirements, Poly students may apply for courses taken at NYU toward HU/SS elective as well as technical or free elective courses subject to approval of the student's academic department and his or her advisor. However, freshmen and sophomores will probably not take classes at NYU; juniors, seniors, and graduate students may find some NYU courses of interest. Enrollment in NYU courses will depend on space availability and upon satisfying academic prerequisites.
What's the procedure for taking classes at NYU? Are there GPA/SAT requirements, or can anyone take classes? How do I register? When?
Before registering, students are required to meet with their academic advisor to determine whether the NYU courses of interest are an appropriate fit for their academic program. There are no specific GPA or SAT requirements, but students must be in good academic standing, must also meet all prerequisites for the NYU courses, and have approval from an NYU advisor.
Can Poly students do a Stern/CAS business minor, or any other minors at NYU?
Not this fall; however minors at NYU are anticipated in the near future. Specific policies for this opportunity are being established.
Can Poly students study at NYU global sites? What tuition will I pay?
Poly students can study at NYU global sites. However, they must be mindful of demands of their program degree requirements and whether the courses offered at the NYU global sites fulfill those requirements. (It should be noted that participation is academically competitive and is not guaranteed). Poly students pay Poly's tuition. Housing costs are paid at the rate established by the site.
If I take classes at NYU, does it cost extra (i.e., at NYU's tuition rate, or Poly's)?
Poly students will pay their regular Poly tuition.
If I want to leave Poly and attend one of the NYU schools full-time, is there a transfer application? Would I be an "internal" transfer? Will I be able to move/transfer to any NYU school/college?
During the affiliation period, students wishing to transfer to NYU full-time must satisfy NYUŐs transfer policy in place for that school. Being a Poly student does not automatically guarantee acceptance into any of NYU programs, just as being an NYU student does not automatically guarantee transfer to another NYU school or to Poly. Poly students should use the regular NYU Transfer Application (not the Internal Transfer Application. International students transferring to NYU will also have to transfer their F-1 status from the Poly I-20 to the NYU I-20 via NYU-OISS.
Which school's name is going to be on my diploma (i.e., how will the diploma actually read)? When does "NYU" start to appear?
Poly students enrolled prior to Sept. 2008 and who graduate by June 2011 will have the option of their diploma reading "Polytechnic Institute of NYU" or "Polytechnic University". Diplomas for students entering Poly in the fall of 2008 will read "Polytechnic Institute of NYU".
Can I live in an NYU residence hall if I attend Poly?
Not at this time. Students may find it most convenient to live in the borough where the majority of their classes will be offered. The decision regarding Poly students living in NYU housing is being addressed.
Can I use the NYU libraries? Student Health Center? Kimmel Center? Ticket Central? Coles/Palladium? Clubs? Intramurals?
Currently, any student with a valid Poly ID card has walk-in access to the NYU libraries and Kimmel Center; they can attend University and club programs open to the NYU community in the Kimmel Center by presenting their Poly ID at the door of an event or at Ticket Central. Specific answers regarding the student health center and athletics are addressed below.
Do I get an NYU ID card?
No, it is not necessary to get an NYU ID card. The Poly ID is accepted on the same basis as an NYU ID card.
Will there be transportation (shuttle) between the two campuses?
No special transportation has been arranged between campuses. A number of subway lines offer convenient access between campuses. Special arrangements are being made, however, for students with disabilities.
Will the curricula change at Poly?
Curricula changes at Poly occur from time to time, reflecting changes and advances in technology and society's needs.
Will I be required to complete the liberal arts core? If so, will I do that at NYU or at Poly?
The liberal arts requirements for programs offered at Poly are established by Poly. Students may take courses at Poly, NYU, or both subject to approval of their advisor and the HU/SS Department as described above.
Poly is a small community; NYU is large; will the Poly "advantage" for student involvement become diluted?
Poly's students will continue to develop their community at Poly's Brooklyn campus. As Poly and NYU form a closer relationship, opportunities for student involvement in student clubs and organizations will likely increase.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What exactly is the relationship between NYU and Poly today? In the future? Is the eventual goal that Poly will become a school within NYU?
Poly is currently affiliated with NYU and is known as Polytechnic Institute of NYU; the affiliation agreement has been approved by both Boards of Trustees and the New York State Regents. Immediately we have begun activities to transition Poly into a school within NYU. The transition activities include creating opportunities never before available for students and faculty as well as aligning various policies. It is anticipated that the transition period will be between 5 and 10 years.
How will current students (NYU and Poly) be affected by this affiliation?
Current NYU and Poly students will be able to take courses at each other's schools (as described above), participate in joint student activities, and have access to expanded research and other resources, such as libraries. Students will continue to be registered in their own institutions and will receive their degrees from their current institution.
Why have NYU and Poly reached this agreement?
By reaching this agreement, two strong institutions will be even stronger than either would be on its own. For NYU, it reconnects the University to an engineering research and education capacity that it has not had for over three decades, offering new opportunities for NYU faculty and students. For Poly, it connects a venerable school of engineering and technology to a national research university, thereby drawing in students and faculty from across the country and across the world. Moreover, it significantly broadens the range of academic activities and facilities to which Poly students and faculty will now have access. For the city and state, this important step forward in the relationship between NYU and Poly holds the prospect of sparking a major advancement in our city's stature as a world capital for science, technology, and engineering.
If I want to be considered for admission by both schools, do I complete an application for Poly, and one for NYU? When will that change to a single application?
Yes, until Poly becomes a school of NYU, to be considered for admission by both you must apply to both. Admissions standards are currently set by each institution and each has a separate application process. This will continue throughout the period during which the two institutions are affiliated. The Poly admissions standards are being revised with more demanding minimum requirements. Some of these changes are already being applied to the class being considered for the fall of 2009.
What will happen to majors offered by both NYU and Poly on both the undergraduate and graduate levels?
Majors currently offered at NYU and Poly will continue - and new programs are being developed to provide options for new and dual major courses of study.
Poly currently offers online degrees through ePoly. Will these continue?
Yes, the ePoly courses will continue. Collaborations to enrich electronic offerings of both Poly and NYU are underway.
What is going to happen to Poly's programs in Westchester, Manhattan, and Long Island?
The Poly programs that exist at the Westchester, Manhattan, and Long Island sites will continue to be provided. No imminent changes are anticipated.
CAREER SERVICES
Will fairs, workshops, and on-campus recruiting hosted by NYU and Poly be open to all students on both campuses?
In the short term, each institution will continue with its own approaches to career services. Like Poly, the NYU approach offers individual career counseling as well as on-line and group activities. Career fairs will be available at no cost to Poly students. Workshops and other programs will also be open to Poly students but may have little or modest cost, as they would to NYU students. Poly will not be included in on-campus recruiting at NYU this year nor will NYU students be included in on-campus recruiting by Poly. Discussions relating to collaborative arrangements for on-campus recruiting have begun.
ATHLETICS
Will each school's athletic programs continue to operate independently?
According to NCAA regulations and conference affiliations, they must remain independent while the institutions are affiliated but not yet consolidated. This applies to all varsity and club sports.
Will Poly maintain its colors/mascot/history?
Yes, as long as the two athletic departments remain independent of each other, this will not be an issue.
Will students at both schools have access to athletic events at the other school?
Poly students have access to NYU athletic events and NYU students have access to Poly athletic events but cannot participate in intramural events and club sports at the other institution. NYU and Poly intramural teams are able to compete against each other.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Will the costs of housing, the deposit, housing accommodations, meal plans, and summer housing be the same?
In the near term, no; these issues will be established by each institution.
Will Poly adopt NYU housing policies and guidelines?
Not at this time.
Are Poly students eligible for RA positions in NYU residence halls and department graduate staff positions, and vice-versa?
Not in the immediate future.
Will the Poly residence hall be represented by the IRHC?
Poly will continue to have its own residence hall council, though we will look for opportunities to develop relationships with the IRHC.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS
To avoid visa concerns will students be registered as NYU, Poly, or dual? Which office(s) will track international students in SEVIS?
In the near term, the two institutions will operate autonomously for immigration purposes. While the institutions are affiliated (and not yet consolidated), international students who are in F-1 status at NYU will need to maintain their status via NYU/OISS; Poly international students must maintain theirs through Poly/OISS. The F-1 and J-1 visa programs at NYU and Poly will continue to be entirely separate. The international offices will continue to track and maintain immigration status for the students and scholars of their respective institutions.
Can international students work at one institution while enrolled in the other?
Not this year. However, NYU/OISS and Poly/OISS leaders are discussing how this can be possible in the future.
Will study abroad opportunities/visa paperwork be generated in OISS at Poly?
Only if needed. International students wanting to study abroad will receive assistance from the Poly/OISS and domestic Poly students will file for their passports and visas on their own.Will International Services and programs be offered to Poly students?
Poly international students are welcome to participate in NYU/OISS programs, for example the International Education Week and USFest. Any charges associated with programming will be the same for Poly students as for NYU students. We do not anticipate there will be immigration services offered to Poly by NYU/OISS in the near term.
Will NYU OISS and Poly OISS be considered separate entities?
Yes, in the short term.
Will OISS NYU assist foreign scholars and faculty for J-1, H-1B, O-1, TN, and permanent resident advising?
In the immediate future, each institution will continue its interactions with foreign scholars as is currently practiced. (See above the discussion about potentially integrating the two programs.)
Will the OISS student file systems, FSA Atlas, at each school be coordinated with the other to ensure direct communication regarding the SEVIS system?
Not this year. NYU/OISS is currently undergoing major upgrades in its FAS Atlas file management system. When this project is completed, NYU/OISS and Poly/OISS leaders will begin planning for future data systems interactions.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Will new student orientation be the same or be coordinated or be completely independent?
Except for Welcome Week activities (see below), orientation programs will remain independent.Will Poly students have access to Welcome Week activities?
In general, most of the planned 2008-9 academic year Welcome Week activities will be open to Poly students. There are two exceptions, however: the NYU Reality Show and the Presidential Welcome both of which will continue to have a primary focus on Washington Square this year. In future years, these events may be modified to include Poly students.
STUDENT ACTIVITY
How will student activities, student fees, campus activities, etc., be affected?
At this time, there will be no differences in student activities, student fees, or campus activities. Each of the institutions will continue to offer activities as before the affiliation but many will also be expanded without additional fees.
The unique student club and organization structure at NYU (e.g., school-based clubs, office clubs, sports clubs, etc.) will allow for Poly and NYU student clubs and organizations to remain autonomous while allowing opportunities to co-sponsor club programs across the two institutions club spectrums. Students can attend activities at either institution when a valid ID is presented.
Some NYU activities, including Strawberry Fest, Mystery Concert, and certain cultural activities are capacity limited and often reach capacity early, so we are evaluating how to facilitate participation by Poly students in these activities.
Policies regarding costs to Poly student clubs wishing to utilize NYU facilities are being discussed and include student representation in the decision-making process.
Can Poly students participate in NYU leadership positions: CA, Peer Educator, RA, Gad, Welcome Week staff, Transfer Assistant, etc?
Not at this time, nor can NYU students participate in Poly leadership positions.
Can students from either institution be members of each other's clubs/organizations?
Students interested in participating in the other campus' organizations can address possibilities of doing so on an individual basis. They must, of course, operate within the constraints of their governing and/or funding body.
DIVERSITY AND MULTICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
Can Poly students attend diversity training and orientation workshops?
The Center for Multicultural Education and Programs is working to integrate Poly students into existing diversity sessions, workshops, and programs at NYU. Center staff, with the support of graduate students and close professional colleagues from other Student Affairs units, can offer a number of student diversity training workshops on the Poly campus.
Can Poly students participate in the multitude of diversity programs?
The programs offered throughout the year by the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs and by the AVP for Student Diversity are open to Poly students. These include Intergroup Dialogues, the multicultural film series, the Hip Hop Theatre Festival, MLK Celebration Week, the -ISM Project, the Network of B.L.A.C.K. Men, the Focus Mentorship Program, the Social Justice Conference, the FACTS Program, and the Creative Solutions Faculty/Graduate Dinner. In most cases the Center will make adjustments in reserved space to accommodate larger numbers if necessary.
Would faculty and professional staff have access to diversity training, orientation and consultation?
The Center for Multicultural Education and Programs will integrate Poly faculty and professional staff into scheduled diversity sessions at NYU.
Would Poly faculty, staff, and students serve on University-wide diversity committees?
Poly faculty, students, and staff are invited to participate in diversity committees.
Are workshops and training offered by the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Student Services available to Poly students, faculty, staff, departments, and clubs?
The LGBT office has already, at Poly's request, provided training workshops.
STUDENT RESOURCE CENTER
Will the Student's Guide at NYU be combined with Poly's Student Guide?
Not at the moment since there are many differences in policies and issues between Poly and NYU. However, as Poly transitions toward becoming a school of NYU, the guides will become more alike and may be integrated.
Will services for graduate students (i.e., childcare subsidy, babysitting registry, etc.) be available to Poly's graduate students?
Not until Poly becomes consolidated with NYU (vs. its current affiliation).
Will commuters and transfers at Poly be served by the Student Resource Center?
Telephone and online resources will be provided. Specific programmatic initiatives (i.e., Breakfast for Dinner, Commuter Lunch, Commuter Preview Day, Discoveries, Faculty In and Of the City, etc.) have a nominal fee and will be available to Poly students.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
What NYU IT services are available to the Polytechnic Community?
Certain IT services, such as access to NYURoam and to some of the NYU Libraries electronic resources, are available to Poly students, faculty, and staff.
Please visit http://www.nyu.edu/its/faq/poly/index.html for more information.
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS
Will the academic calendar be the same at both institutions?
The academic calendars for 2008-9 have been set independently at each institution. While not identical, they are reasonably well aligned. The institutions are working to assure complete alignment in the 2009-10 academic calendars.
Will Poly students send elected representatives to NYU student government bodies (Senate, UCSL, etc.)?
Student governments will remain separate entities throughout the affiliation period. However, it is our hope that students will foster an environment of communication and collaboration between the two student governments.