Submitted by Ray Nieves, Oct 22, 2007 14:59

My fellow New Yorkers never cease to amaze me. Considering all the high rise projects going on all the time in Manhattan, another project is not going to mar that part of Lincoln Center. New York University continues to quietly aquire land around the village, Columbia has won its battle to aquire 17 acres in upper Manhattan, yet when Fordham decides NOT to acquire land as the other two universities have done, choosing to show some restraint and caution, there is a movement to stop them. While other campuses have expanded, the Lincoln Center campus has remained largly unchanged with no increase in classroom space. There is a great need to expand and rather than buy up old buildings, stores etc. that might displace people's lives, Fordham is willing to remain in very tight quarters and build up rather than out. I think Jerrald Nadler has found a quick and easy cause to show his constituancy how he is trying to "fight for the people". Where was he when NYU and Columbia were buying up land and expanding? Fordham has given up establishing a campus in Tarrytown to devote its resources in Manhattan where it has had a presence for over 100 years. Perhaps Jerrald Nadler would prefer if Fordham were to buy up old buildings, stores etc. that might displace people's lives instead...just so long as it was out of his district.

Of the three great private schools in NYC, Fordham has the least finances, acreage and influence. Let Fordham build, let a great university grow. As for the detractors, go pick on Columbia.

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