Published: February 26, 2009

In reaction to the community’s rejection of the Master Plan, Fordham is actively informing students about the details of the plan, as well as encouraging them to voice their support.

In response to a request from Keith Eldredge, dean of students at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), student leaders from United Student Government (USG), the Commuter Student Association (CSA) and the Campus Activites Board (CAB) staffed tables on the plaza in Lowenstein during the past week. Passing FCLC students could use laptops provided to send an e-mail to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, urging him to approve the Master Plan as it stands.

Nikolai Chowdhury, FCLC ’11 and USG director of technology, created a Web site with a prepared message that students can simply attach their names and e-mail addresses to and send to Stringer. The e-mail asks Stringer to “support Fordham and its vision for the future,” citing “improved access to the campus, more green space and expanded community service opportunities through our professional and graduate schools” as reasons he should approve the plan. In order to access the site, visit http://usglc.nikolaiweb.com.

On Feb. 19, Eldredge organized a meeting to inform students about the Master Plan and invited Thomas Dunne, vice president for Government Relations, and Brian Byrnes, former vice president of administration, to be present.

According to Dave de la Fuente, FCLC ’10 and president of USG, approximately 20 students attended, mostly USG members.

“[The meeting] was an opportunity to clarify several things,” de la Fuente said. “We asked the [administrators] about the details of the situation: Who in the neighborhood is opposed to the plan? Who is in favor? Who in the local government is opposed to the plan? Why are we asking for approval?”

Students asked about how a new dorm would affect the commuter presence at FCLC and if the construction would have an effect on tuition increases. Eldredge said that by continuing the Integrated Learning Program, commuters would not feel ostracized. Students were also assured that financing the Master Plan will have no direct impact on the cost of tuition.

Despite Community Board 7’s rejection of the Master Plan in late January, Rev. Robert R. Grimes, S.J., dean of FCLC, cited articles in the New York Daily News and the New York Post supporting Fordham’s expansion plan. Grimes said that “at this point, [the city council is] acting like they will go along with [the Master Plan as it stands]. We aren’t creating any contingency plans right now.”

Fordham will present the plan to the City Planning Commission on March 4, and if the plan is approved, they will only need permission from the City Council for the plan to be instituted.