Alumni Discuss Manhattanville

As Columbia makes headway for its proposed Manhattanville expansion, alumni remain divided. Some alumni say that the expansion is a necessity for the school, while others say the University must work on making sure it does not negatively affect West Harlem.

Partial funding for the expansion will come from Columbia's recently announced $4 billion capital campaign. The campaign will solicit funds from alumni, though Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations Eric Furda stressed that funding the expansion won't be a significant part of the campaign.

Around $400 million of the goal will be put forth for Manhattanville facilities. This value already includes the $200 million donation given by Dawn Greene, the wife of the late Jerome Greene, CC '26 and Law '28, to establish the Jerome L. Greene Science Center in Manhattanville.

The expansion is "terribly overdue," Mike Montgomery, CC '80, said. "Columbia faces huge challenges, but I can't see another way to get around it. It's been a real challenge over the years. There aren't many places in Manhattan to build on with the space and costs."

Montgomery added, "When I was at the school in that era, the University was struggling and clearly needed more and better space then."

Arun Das, CC '95 and Journalism '01, agreed that adjustments to University space are needed, though they don't necessarily include expansion.

"When I was at Columbia, it was not geographic expansion as much as problems with facilities," said Das, citing run-down classrooms that could not fit all students comfortably. "The general opinion was that we felt something needed to be done with buildings and classrooms. We didn't necessarily think X acres should be purchased in the community."

For Montgomery, who works in economic development, expansion is inevitable.

"I don't see an alternative from the University perspective," he said. "The project has to have a great deal of respect for the people affected. ... You can't accommodate every conceivable concern, but they're doing a very good job."

Das said that the expansion could be a major benefit for Manhattanville.

"I got to Columbia in 1991, and I can't even say how different the campus is even around Morningside Heights," he said. "The campus is so much more vibrant. I think a working campus in Manhattanville can only be a positive thing in the long run."

However, Christine Rodriguez, CC '91, is weary of the corresponding drawback of increased property values in the area.

"I take it a little bit personally because I am from the area. I grew up in the West Side and just moved uptown 20 blocks from 97th Street If I lived in that area [Manhattanville] all my life, I wouldn't want to move," she said.

Alumni say that they have generally been kept up to speed by Columbia through mailings and events, though they are not specifically approached about donations for Manhattanville. The University has also sponsored several Manhattanville tours for alumni, which have included over 100 attendants so far.

"Anyone who has spent time as a student or faculty member at Columbia is keenly aware of the space constraints on both the Morningside and Washington Heights campuses," said Furda.

"Alumni input comes in many forms and through many channels-the most structured input has been through the Manhattanville tours for alumni," Furda said. "The highlight of the presentation is a walking tour which gives a strong sense of the current neighborhood. Alumni have been supportive in these meetings, while asking very good questions."

He also mentioned that the Manhattanville team has received contact in the form of e-mails, letters, and calls from alumni with some interest in Manhattanville, as "businesspeople who want to lend their expertise, as parents who are interested in the new high school, as either supportive or concerned activists," he said.

In terms of major donations from wealthy donors, "Manhattanville is no different than any other approach to fundraising­­­: matching University needs to donor interests," Furda said. "If it is clear that a donor is interested in a component of Manhattanville specifically-say, the arts or mind, brain, and behavior, I am sure those specific conversations are taking place. I am not sure that a donor is interested in expansion, broadly defined."

Hannah Hahn, GSAS '95, says that the well-being of the surrounding neighborhood is crucial.

"While I understand that Columbia needs to expand, I hope that it will contribute to the Harlem community at the same time, she said. "It would be terrible for business owners if they are displaced... . If businesses are displaced, it is Columbia's responsibility to help them rebuild."

"There's controversy and opposition same as anywhere in the city. Their [the residents'] point needs to be addressed," Das said. "Columbia has a reputation of being aloof that dates back to the '60s. Maybe it's not fair, but it exists."

Joy Resmovits contributed to this article.