Testimony of Daniel R. Point
Program Manager
Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC)
NYU Alumnus, Class of 2011
Before the New York City Planning Commission
For the Public Hearing on the New York University Core Project
April 25, 2012
Dear New York City Planning Commission:
Good afternoon. My name is Dan Point and I am the Program Manager at the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce (GVCCC). I am also an alumnus of NYU, having graduated this past May from the university.
I would like to begin by noting that I would not be here today were it not for all that NYU has done for me. Academically, professionally, and personally, NYU has contributed to my development as an adult in a profound way. None of this would have been possible were it not for the facilities located within their Core campus. These facilities, from recording studios to classrooms, theaters, and athletic space, fostered academic and extra-curricular curiosity in every one of my peers over our four years of undergraduate studies.
When I arrived as a freshman, the Steinhardt School was just beginning a massive renovation in their spaces located at 35 W. 4th Street. While these projects -including the construction of the esteemed Dolan Studio -took several years, it was clear that students were benefiting from upgraded facilities very early on. The courses offered to me nearly doubled within my major alone and our department, Music Technology, was able to allow students from other fields to study with us as well.
The point I'm trying to make is that these improvements have a huge impact on students like myself in both the choices they make in college and the directions our lives take. I, like many of my peers, explored other fields of study and eventually settled on policy work rather than music. I then made the decision to remain in this community and to give back by working with civic organizations like the GVCCC. This exploration was only possible at a university like NYU that had both the breadth of academic offerings I needed to explore and also the location to allow me to apply the knowledge I was gaining at internships throughout the year.
Our place as young people and students in the community has been a huge contributor to its character for more than 50 years. Restricting NYU's ability to grow as an institution and offer the same opportunities to young people will be damaging not only to them but the Village as well. NYU has had a profoundly positive impact on my life and dozens of others who could not make it today. I hope you will consider this as you review NYU's proposal.
Respectfully,
Daniel R. Point
