<p>Can anyone explain to me why the student protesters believed they were entitled to know the salaries of staff members at NYU? Or why that would be an issue worth protesting for?</p>
<p>zoosermom - because the students feel they have a right to many things - lowered tuition, a student on the board of trustees, knowing salaries of staff, knowing where NYU invests its money, etc...these students are nuts if you ask me. I heard they marched down university place wearing masks and hoods and carrying torches - i'm guessing that's highly exaggerated though :)</p>
<p>catalina - oh well then I agree - their demands are kind of ridiculous. scholarships for gaza my ass - yep, Gaza is suffering, so are half the countries in Africa, the Middle East, and half the developing world - why no scholarships for them? And what about all the american students who can't afford college? sorry, but their demands are laughable. </p>
<p>yeah, and they also broke the lock to get into a kimmel balcony as well as assaulted a security officer - were you there btw? I was up in the 8th floor lounge and didn't even know what was going on lol.</p>
<p>I just witnessed a 9 minute video of the student's conduct in holding the cafeteria student center hostage. </p>
<p>It was a complete embarrassment for the students. </p>
<p>They come off as whiny, entitled, effete and worse yet, unable to engage in cogent debate because they are already smugly persuaded of the moral rectitude of their claims. </p>
<p>If the school is charging too much tuition then let the marketplace handle it. Really, is one's life prospects going to be that much different if one attends Stony Brook rather than NYU? No. They attend NYU because they want the glam and fast pace of New York (this is fine if that suits you), and of course, want it on the cheap! </p>
<p>And of course they endorse the cause du jour - the Palestinian cause - which is their right. But of course their solution, as always, is to have someone else pay for it. </p>
<p>Fine bunch these kids are. The real world will hit them like a ton of bricks, and rightly so.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The real world will hit them like a ton of bricks, and rightly so.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Some, yes, but many are there on daddy's dime, and will continue to subsist with daddy's business and connections (unfortunately).</p>
<p>I hope we are not generalizing too much here. </p>
<p>I think what this small group of students did and how they did it sounds ridiculous. But they don't speak for or represent all students at NYU. </p>
<p>
[quote]
They attend NYU because they want the glam and fast pace of New York (this is fine if that suits you)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't think the main reason many students pick to attend NYU is for the glam and fast pace of NYC. My own kid picked it for the program and the education. The fact that it is in NYC is attractive for her field (theater) and she enjoys NYC a lot (she grew up in a rural town of 1700) but it is not like she was looking for "a college in NYC" as this was the only one in NY that she applied to and she sought out programs for her interest and also wanted a challenging university. Just like anyone who applies to college, location is just one selection criteria and not the main one, for those who may apply to NYU. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Really, is one's life prospects going to be that much different if one attends Stony Brook rather than NYU?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>While I have read some students on CC who seem to select their colleges based on what life prospects or money they feel they will earn if they attend X college, I know my kids didn't choose colleges with that in mind and it never came up actually. Who you are will determine your success, not the name of your college. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Some, yes, but many are there on daddy's dime, and will continue to subsist with daddy's business and connections (unfortunately).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What is so wrong with parents (not just daddies) paying for their child's college education? We are paying every dime of our kids' educations (and will be for years to come due to loans). I don't feel our kids are spoiled by that. We value education and feel it is our position to provide that for our children. This has NO relation to "daddy's business" (my husband's field is not remotely connected to what either of my kids are involved with) or any connections. As soon as they finish their school (immediately following graduation), they must support themselves. I think some of these remarks are gross generalizations. I am sure there are rich kids everywhere. I am sure there are kids whose parents will keep supporting them financially after college graduation. But that is not the case for MANY who attend this university or any other (NYU is not so different than other expensive selective private schools in this way either).</p>
<p>"Frankly, I don't understand why the students are protesting the high tuition. It is a private school, the students know pretty well in advance of the cost."</p>
<p>No kidding. I think I'll get a room at the Ritz and then hold the place hostage because it costs too much.</p>
<p>If you want to pay Super 8 prices, go to the Super 8. Not everyone can afford the Ritz.</p>
<p>I asked my son today if he knew any of the people who participated in this. He did. They asked him to join them and he thought about until he realized that if he got in trouble, making that call to me was something he did NOT want to do. He declined. Yeah, he's getting smarter in college!</p>
<p>NYU was the most generous FA package we got. Only thing cheaper would have been West Chester (with a COA of <15K).</p>
<p>I'd estimate that I end up spending about 3K more than my 12K EFC. my son has stafford and perkins loans (no pell obviously), but no other private offered 30K in scholarship money. Yes, academically he's a top student (but was only in the top 20% of his HS class), but his SAT was 2250 (790 math, 740 verbal). They even threw in an extra 1K this year just for asking. Hoping they will be as generous for year 3 (30K scholarship is for all 4 years). Is it painful to spend my life savings on my EFC for 4 years, sure, but I know that there is no comparison of NYU and NYC to West Chester and what that atmosphere would have been.</p>
<p>This response was on a NYU site. It is priceless. </p>
<hr>
<pre><code> I find it amusing that those who disobey the rules expect others to obey their rules. (Dont touch me! - What a joke.) Not true in the real world. The camera will not always protect you.
1989 - Ive seen in Wenceslas Square, Prague - former communist Czechoslovakia - the riot police simply beat the protestors until they dropped their cameras and video recorders - then proceeded to really kick the crap out of them with rubber rods.
People have the right to protest. But not the right to disrespect. You want to promote change without respect. A dialog doesnt involve 1st taking over property that doesnt belong to you - then calling for a democratic consensus when the wolves are at the door.
People like you vandalize monuments, vandalize military recruiting offices, vandalize police cars, and belittle security guards who have to work hard making sure brats like you dont get hurt. Additionally, you make a mockery of an institution like NYU - one of the better universities in the country. Patience with people like you is wearing thin.
Respect? For you? None. If you had any self-respect you wouldnt have participated in this stupid stunt. You are a comedy act. A vandal. Your narcissism is why you are so weak - and you cant see it, you dont want to see it. Thats the beauty of it. I can only imagine your surprise when you run into the person who doesnt care that you carry a video camera - knocks it out of your hand - then gives you an ass beating. The truly ironic thing about that moment - will be when the machine that you rage against so much, is the same one that you will be crying out to - for justice. Sadly, it will try provide it for you.
You grew up having everything you ever could need. Many people fight to come here from other countries, legally and illegally because of the opportunity this country offers. Some who come here illegally, have entered the armed forces and have died trying to demonstrate that they want to be here. You could get involved in a political campaign. Run for office. But that is not you. It is too - normal. That would mean that you would respect the rules of society - which you dont. You cant stand this country - but you want it extort it. At the expense of everyone else. You hit every branch of the selfish tree on the way down - didnt you?
Scholarships for Palestinians? Rebuild the Islamic University of Gaza? As terrorists are fond of saying, due to the actions of the US government - no US citizen is innocent - or free from attack. Well, last I checked, those living in Gaza had elections, and they chose to elect a terrorist promoting government. Surprise surprise, when they realized that Israel would respond militarily - then they start crying to the UN. Cowards. Hypocrites.
Why should people here - those you call couch potatoes - who are going to work daily simply to provide for themselves, and their family - why should we pay for that? Why should NYU? The Palestinians already get subsidies from the US - and what have they done with it? Send missles into Israel. They can rebuild their own school - with their own money - or your hard earned money. After all, why would we want to help your cause.
Your vague threats with the keffiyeh are nothing more than pathetic. Be careful for what trouble you go looking for - it may find you.
</code></pre>
<p>From NYU"s website (Dept. of Public Affairs):</p>
<p>
[quote]
NYU Statement on Events at University’s Kimmel Center
Friday, Feb 20, 2009
N-301R, 2008-09</p>
<p>New York University is pleased to report that the students who sat in the Kimmel Center’s cafeteria and disrupted services have peacefully exited the building.</p>
<p>Robust dialogue is a customary, normal, and expected part of the interaction between students, faculty, and administration at NYU. But it is not appropriate for it to take place while there is an ongoing violation of university rules.</p>
<p>Despite the protesters’ stated principles that the protest was to be non-destructive and non-violent, the protesters, despite specific warnings to stay off the Kimmel Center balcony, broke the lock to gain access to the balcony. The protesters also injured an NYU security officer during a scuffle. These actions dishonor NYU’s commitment to free exchange of ideas, reasoned debate, and legitimate forms of protest.</p>
<p>From the outset, the University made clear to the protesters that they were violating the University rules and engaging in improper activity. Nonetheless, the University offered to sit down and have a dialogue with the students if they left the cafeteria early the night of February 19.</p>
<p>The 18 students who stayed through the night of February 19—after rejecting the University’s offer to leave the building—have been suspended pending the outcome of the university’s disciplinary process.
No students who were participating in the demonstration in the Kimmel Center cafeteria were arrested by the New York Police Department.</p>
<p>None of the students’ demands was met.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I am in total agreement, that the students have a right to be heard. They missed an opportunity to engage the administration in a dialogue. Very misguided. But I want to respond to the poster that stated
[quote]
Some, yes, but many are there on daddy's dime, and will continue to subsist with daddy's business and connections (unfortunately).
[/quote]
<br>
I resent the statement because my D attends and my husband and I are by no means rich. My daughter has her share of stafford loans and we are sacrificing the rest. That is a choice one makes for their child. My dauighter received a better offer from Johns Hopkins but NYU is where we felt she would thrive better. They offered the least amount of scholarship and she was in the top 1% of her class. I am not complaining but generous they are not with their aid. Some fair better than others. it is a published fact that they stink with FA. The following story will give you an idea of what may be a general feeling about how some students feel about NYU.</p>
<p>From Washington Square News:
Why I stopped caring
Alvin Chang</p>
<p>Print this article
Share this article Published: Tuesday, February 24, 2009</p>
<p>Updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2009</p>
<p>Illustration by Kaela Jensen </p>
<p>I used to be one of those students who cared a lot about NYU. I used to fantasize about sitting down with John Sexton, one-on-one, and grilling him about everything NYU-related. I used to have nightmares where I was chased down a small corridor by NYU spokesman John Beckman. I used to yell at pictures of ResEd director Tom Ellett because some of the things he said made me so angry.</p>
<p>I used to care. Now I dont.</p>
<p>As Take Back NYU members barricaded themselves in the Kimmel Center last week, I got phone calls and text messages from people who thought I would be excited. I wasnt. One of my friends asked, What are you doing now? Are you going down to campus to see whats going on?</p>
<p>I said, Im watching basketball in HD!</p>
<p>See? I dont care.</p>
<p>Until a few months ago, I cared. I felt like I had a stake in NYU. I felt like I was a part of some community that cared about what I thought. Ive written columns about the outrageous rate of tuition hikes, the startling lack of community and the deception from the NYU administration. Ive been frustrated, angry and outraged. Ive wanted to barricade myself in Kimmel and drape a 100-foot banner saying Alvin is ****ed at NYU. But I only wanted to because I cared about NYU. Now I dont.</p>
<p>My mother used to tell me that she only got mad at me because she cared so much. I didnt get the logic.</p>
<p>Mom, I would yell, why would you yell at me and make me feel bad if you care for me? She would yell back, If I didnt care for you, why would I waste my voice on you?</p>
<p>I dont want to waste my breath on NYU anymore. I dont care enough.</p>
<p>In the past few months, my view of NYU has changed. I used to think that by attending this university, I was a small part of the NYU entity. But Im not. And whether they admit it or not, NYUs most senior leaders would agree with you. We students are out of the circle.</p>
<p>Sexton once said he looks at NYU like a business and students as customers. So tuition is simply a matter of supply and demand. If students are willing to pay 6 percent more each year, then NYU will hike tuition 6 percent each year. If building a campus in Abu Dhabi on someone elses dime will improve NYUs bottom line and make NYU a better business, then why not do it?</p>
<p>NYU is a business. We are its customers.</p>
<p>When students complain, the NYU administration has a phrase to counter it: cyclical time. They say that we will only be here for four years, so we dont have NYUs long-term interests in mind. They say that they understand our complaints, but they are going in a different direction because it will make NYU better in the long run. I used to scream when Beckman or Sexton used that phrase. Now, its no different than when Apple CEO Steve Jobs says, One more thing. Apple and NYU arent so different in my life. I buy expensive products from both companies. The only difference is that Apple doesnt hike iPod prices by 6 percent each year.</p>
<p>TBNYU has demands it wants NYU to comply with. Those demands would have been legitimate if those students were a part of NYU. They would have something to take back if NYU belonged to the students. But what they dont get is that NYU is a company. We are, at best, shareholders with very little stake in the company and no vote at the boardroom table. If they have problems with NYU, they should go to another school. If they have problems with their Apple computer, they should take their business elsewhere and buy a Dell not barricade themselves inside the Apple store.</p>
<p>As long as NYU is a top dream school, it can do whatever it wants. It has customers willing to pay for its product. Why change your business model if its working?</p>
<p>Admit it. We all came to NYU, happy as can be, and we fell into the trap of NYUs sexy marketing. And now that were here, all we do is complain. If were really passionate about it, we can hold dance parties and deprive other students of the Kimmel Center while making lots of noise. Some of us even go as far as to charge into Kimmel, so desperate to send a message that we injure a security officer who is simply doing her job.</p>
<p>NYUs biggest secret is that the students are its customers. The university doesnt want the secret to get out because once it does, students wont want to come here, and NYU will lose customers. Then NYU will have to change its philosophy to make money it will have to let students become more than customers. It will have to include the students in its decisions. And we had better be ready. Because if were not, can you imagine what that would look like? A whole bunch of dancing, yelling fools making decisions for a multi-billion dollar company.</p>
<p>Alvin Chang is a columnist and former editor-in-chief. E-mail him at <a href="mailto:achang@nyunews.com">achang@nyunews.com</a>.</p>
<p>Comments</p>
<p>He represents one point of view. He writes that "all we do is complain." My kids has been at NYU for four years and I have not heard her complain about the school. Her calls home are about this or that thing that excites her at school and what's going on for her there. She is very happy with the school and so are we. I understand if some are not. This is true at any school. </p>
<p>I don't really know John Sexton. But I heard him speak this past August at the welcome ceremony at Madison Square Garden for all the incoming freshmen. I like what he said. He also said his door is alwsays open and if any student wanted a hug, come see him. He sounded as if he wanted to be accessible. </p>
<p>If some kids are not happy at NYU, then they need to find a way to effect change through various committees and meeting with those in charge. </p>
<p>I don't agree with the kid who wrote the article that NYU is afraid that the "word" would get out and kids would not apply there. I doubt there will be a dirth of applicants in the near future to NYU. </p>
<p>milkandsugar, I can relate to your reaction on the comment about kids attending on daddy's dime and so forth. My kid attends (and we sacrifice for her to do so) and we are not rich. We are not poor.</p>
<p>soozievt, you know why everyone at NYU hates J Sex? He comes off as so warm and friendly in person. When you see him on campus, he'll give you a hug. When I first met him, he seemed so sweet and caring. </p>
<p>But he hikes our tuition every year. When I walk around Kimmel Center, I see large portraits of Sexton displayed proudly. Our university knocks down historic old buildings and replaces them with ugly skyscrapers. They've ruined Greenwich village, which used to be known for its quaint charm. Now violet NYU banners hang from the concrete slabs the university has built. They've taken over Washington Square Park. NYU donated $2 Mill to have a fountain moved 10 feet over. There is a reason NYU is hated in the village. </p>
<p>I personally feel like I'm wasting my parents money at NYU. It's so expensive, it will get more expensive yearly, and I feel like it's not worth it. I knew it was expensive from the start, but my financial situation has changed, as my dad doesn't have a job. I don't agree with everything Alvin Chang wrote, but he made a good point about us being lured into NYU's sexy marketing. There is a reason NYU is always ranked in the Top 5 as "Dream School" by HS kids, but we have a very high external transfer rate - we're all lured in, but then 1/10 of us try to escape. It's a great school for many, but I'll personally feel happier at a SUNY next year. :)</p>
<p>Lol, I go to NYU and didn't know this happened. :)</p>
<p>i want to bump this thread up. i just wanted to say the people involved in this were totally lacking any form of intelligence and respect. i cringed when i watched a youtube video. i felt embarrassed for the students. what is everybody’s take on this? kinda bashes NYU…</p>
<p>The only thing I have to say about this now (given that the story’s almost a year old) is that I remember John Sexton very well from the time, when he was in his 20’s and I was in high school, that he was the debate coach at St. Brendan’s and led them to all those national titles. Although I was very proud back then that I debated against St. Brendan’s two or three times and never lost!</p>
<p>But he’s sure come a lot further since those days than I have.</p>
<p>Huh, looks like NYU was ahead of the game - now there is most certainly a movement across campuses looking for greater transparency in terms of spending/cuts, etc. At my school we now have STARE - students taking action to reclaim our education - which sounds similar to this “take back NYU” group. Of course, my campus is a public school, and sit ins at Cal schools is also civil disobedience occurring at state institutions. </p>
<p>It’s one thing to protest high fees/want more transparency in terms of public services. After all, I went here because it was the cheapest option, not because it was what I “wanted”. </p>
<p>The way to protest things at a private institution? Don’t go there. That’s capitalism for you. If you don’t like the product, don’t give your money to the product. If students stopped going to NYU because it “wasn’t worth the money”, then NYU would most certainly have to re-evaluate things.</p>