Update on Completing the Steps to Make NYU-Poly - NYU’s School of Engineering

In 2008, an affiliation was forged with NYU, and this document will serve as an interim update as the Boards of NYU-Poly and NYU have agreed to move forward with the legal process that seeks to complete the affiliation within a two year window.

What is the history of the agreement and subsequent move toward a full affiliation?

The affiliation agreement combines the unique strengths of two highly regarded institutions of higher learning.  For NYU, it reconnects the University to an engineering research and education capacity that it has not had for more than three decades, offering new opportunities for NYU faculty and students.  For NYU-Poly it connects a venerable school of engineering and technology to a national research university, enhancing its ability to attract top students and faculty from across the world.  Additionally, on a local scale, the affiliation holds the prospect of sparking a major advancement in New York City’s stature as a world capital for science, technology and engineering. 

How has the relationship between NYU and NYU-Poly evolved since the 2008 affiliation was established?

The affiliation between NYU and NYU-Poly already has yielded results that have enhanced both institutions.  Increased collaboration between researchers at both institutions and the launching of the NYC Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) as well as engineering studies at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai are but three examples.  For NYU-Poly students both their academic and non-academic lives have been positively impacted by the increased opportunities available at NYU, including taking classes and accessing a range of services from across the entire university.  In general, the Institute has enjoyed increased visibility, on both a national and international scale, as a result of the affiliation.  This is evident in our enhanced ability to attract qualified students, recruit world-class faculty members, and command the attention of the international media with the innovative research undertaken on our campus.

When will NYU-Poly become a full-fledged school of NYU?

The affiliation agreement outlines the transition of NYU-Poly from an affiliated school to a school within NYU.  Systematically, we have been working through the process of integration various operations – such as finance, development, administration, admissions, student services, and career services. Meanwhile, with this announcement and action by the board of the two institutions, the legal steps necessary to formally complete the affiliation are underway and should be completed within the next two years. 

What does this mean for current and prospective students of NYU-Poly?

After the formal steps are taken, all NYU-Poly students will be NYU students.  In the near-term, NYU-Poly students can benefit from special access to the NYU Coles and Palladium athletic facilities, participation in many NYU student events and lectures, and accessing Bobst, Courant, Institute of Fine Arts and the Real Estate Institute libraries.  NYU-Poly’s Student Affairs Division has launched a newsletter entitled “Intersections” to share significant news with members of the NYU-Poly community and to encourage student participation on the NYU Washington Square campus.  

NYU-Poly students also may take advantage of other new opportunities to connect with NYU colleagues and enjoy expanded privileges, including:  exploring membership in NYU student clubs, fraternities and sororities; attending University and club programs open to the NYU community in the Kimmel Center; qualifying for entertainment event discounts through Ticket Central; performing with the NYU Chorale and Orchestra; and participating in the All New York University Commencement (usually at Yankee Stadium) and Grad Alley, a major outdoor celebration held at NYU Washington Square honoring graduates. Additional essential services offered to NYU-Poly students include the programs and activities within the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development and the 24-hour NYU Wellness Exchange Hotline.

Until NYU-Poly formally becomes a school of NYU, there are separate admissions processes. Many NYU-Poly undergraduate and graduate students can take classes at schools of NYU. (For details, please visit NYU Cross Registration.  For information about dual-degree program including how to apply, please visit NYU's College of Arts and Sciences.) NYU-Poly students may also apply to study at any NYU global site.  However, they must be mindful of the demands of their program degree requirements and whether the courses offered at the NYU global sites fulfill those requirements.  Students should work closely with their academic advisers when planning to study at a global site.

What can NYU-Poly staff expect as the Institute progresses towards a complete affiliation with NYU?

At NYU, many services are synchronized centrally and some are distributed through the individual schools.  In general, NYU-Poly will follow a similar model, although there will likely be some variance given our location in Brooklyn and other factors unique to NYU-Poly.  In many instances, we will tap into NYU resources via “satellite offices” providing services on our own campus.  More information will be provided at a later date.

In general terms, how will the pending affiliation impact NYU-Poly faculty members?

On the academic side, NYU-Poly faculty members will increasingly see ever more opportunities for forming collaborative research partnerships with NYU colleagues.  Both new and existing faculty members are receiving joint appointments with other divisions of NYU, such as the NYU Langone Medical Center, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study. There are currently 33 cross faculty appointments.

Does NYU-Poly’s i2e Campus Transformation planning take the affiliation into consideration?

Yes. Recognizing that the upgrading NYU-Poly’s facilities—both academic and public spaces— is critical to carrying out our academic aspirations, which include recruiting high-achieving faculty and students, NYU has provided the financial backing for our capital plan.  The main components of the capital plan include:  NYU-Poly’s expansion into MetroTech Center to accommodate faculty offices, dry labs, classrooms and administrative functions; renovations of Rogers Hall to create labs for new faculty recruits; and the potential redevelopment of the Jacobs Administration and Civil Engineering building sites--all in alignment with progressing toward the affiliation.  We will also partner with NYU in the building of a new collaborative health sciences building along Manhattan’s First Avenue Health Corridor.  NYU-Poly meets with NYU on a regular basis, on both the leadership and working team levels, to discuss campus transformation initiatives and planning. NYU WIRELESS and NYU’s Digital Media and Gaming Lab will soon be located at 2 MetroTech Center.

New York University announced its expansion plan in 2010 (NYU 2031: NYU in NYC) - in addition to building facilities along its Health Corridor on Manhattan’s First Avenue, this 25-year plan proposes significant building in downtown Brooklyn, including the proposed new Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP).  NYU’s and NYU-Poly’s plans are well coordinated, and ultimate designs are made in concert to create facilities that respond to student and faculty needs.

How will the NYU-Poly community be kept informed of major developments in the progress towards finalizing the affiliation?

A number of existing channels will be used to share significant updates with members of the NYU-Poly community, including periodic updates to this web page. Please submit any questions you may have via this online form.