At Thursday’s Town Hall, barely an hour after the Board’s historic vote, we learned that Poly is one very important step closer to merging with NYU. Below is a sampling of the coverage on the decision.
From the news story on Poly’s homepage:
On Thursday, March 6, Poly’s Board of Trustees voted to approve the Definitive Agreement to merge with New York University with the long-range goal of Poly becoming a school of engineering and technology of NYU.
“With more than a supermajority, the Board approved the agreement and we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Chairman Craig Matthews…”This momentous affiliation will make New York a leading technological center for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.”
University President Jerry M. Hultin described the merger as “a perfect fit between two great universities” and as “an opportunity for Poly to soar.”
From Inside Higher Ed:
The merger, which would be phased in, would combine two universities with the closest of ties to New York City. For Polytechnic, the combination could bring in new funds and a Manhattan connection for students. For NYU, the merger would fill in some key gaps. As NYU gained in national stature in the last 20 years, many have regretted that it dropped engineering programs (which were in fact absorbed by Poly). And with space at a premium in Manhattan, Poly’s Brooklyn-based campus laboratories offer all kinds of opportunities.
From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:
“It’s a wonderful day!” said a jubilant Craig G. Matthews, chairman of the board of Polytechnic, located at MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn. Matthews said that a formal application to the state Department of Education would be made in the next few days, after which the application would go to the New York State Board of Regents for final approval. The entire process could be finalized as early as sometime in May, after which the integration of the two universities could begin, Matthews said.
From Crain’s New York:
If the merger goes through, students will have more opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and study abroad, said Mr. Matthews. It will also help Polytechnic recruit outside of the five boroughs and retain its students. Applications for the fall are already up about 20%, he noted, partially attributing that boost to news about the potential NYU merger.
