Event to Examine University’s Initiative for Physical Growth Over the Next 25 Years

Be Part of ‘NYU Plans 2031’ at Sept. 17 Open House

As a result of a conscious choice made by the University’s leaders in the late 1970s, NYU transformed itself from a good regional university into a prominent and selective national research university. That transformation has necessarily been accompanied by growth in student housing, faculty housing, and academic facilities.

NYU continues to improve and is now beginning an initiative to plan for and guide the next 25 years of the University’s physical development. Along with the Partners Initiative (to strengthen and expand the arts and science faculty), student community building, and the $2.5 billion “Campaign for NYU,” this undertaking, called NYU Plans 2031, will be one of the University’s hallmark efforts in the first part of the 21st century. It will provide a roadmap for addressing the physical aspects of the University’s academic needs between now and NYU’s bicentennial (2031) while respecting the local community and bringing predictability and clarity to NYU’s development efforts.

On June 28th, the University held the first Open House as part of the initial effort to familiarize the community—both the NYU community and its neighbors—with its planning process, to solicit opinions, and to engage greater numbers of people in the proceedings. The next Open House, will be held on Monday, September 17, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Hemmerdinger Hall, 100 Washington Square East. On view will be information displayed at the earlier open house (also available on-line at www.nyu.edu/about/ open.house/), and in attendance will be representatives from NYU’s first Office of Strategic Assessment, Planning, and Design, and from the school’s consultant partners. Guests will also have an opportunity to provide the University with input for the planning effort.

Developing an office dedicated to planning was an early commitment of President John Sexton. The objectives of the planning office are threefold: 1) to bring critical thinking, research, and analysis to the process of planning the built environment at NYU; 2) to engage the NYU community and the neighborhood in the process of planning; and 3) to bring design excellence to NYU’s buildings and urban style. Internally, an Advisory Planning Council has been formed. Externally, meetings have been held with community representatives, including elected officials, brought together by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.

“I hope members of the NYU community will attend this Open House and the other events we will hold over the coming months,” says Sexton. “We value their views in this important undertaking, and the process will be stronger for their participation.”