The faculty members of the Department of History oppose the proposed NYU 2031 development, which we believe will have a negative impact on the academic mission of the university and NYU's standing in the Greenwich Village community.

• We are deeply concerned about the lack of information regarding financial specifics and the absence of adequate consultation with the faculty.
• We are concerned that it will hamper NYU's ability to recruit new faculty and that the disruption in working and living environments will impel current faculty who are moveable to seek positions elsewhere.
• We are not persuaded that the declared rationale for the plan (NYU students need more space) presents sufficient grounds for launching a costly building campaign in a time of chronic economic uncertainty.
• We are concerned that NYU students --- already among the most indebted in the nation --- will have to bear the burden of footing the expansion bill in the form of increased tuition and other fees, and increased enrollments that will increase class-size and dilute the quality and diversity of the undergraduate student body
• We believe that the execution of the 2031 plan will result in an irreparable rift with our community neighbors. Given the historic character of Greenwich Village, it is especially crucial that the sense of the community be considered.
• We recognize the need for more space and strongly recommend that the NYU Administration should go back to the drawing board and consult faculty about how much, what kind and where any expansion should take place.