Anand Does it Again!
Columbia Spectator columnist Anand Krishnamurthy has another strong piece in today's sports section, calling for Columbia to include a new gym in the Manhattanville expansion plan.
Of course, it won't happen. But the real value of Krishnamurthy's column is his accurate portrayal of the inevitable group of usual suspect protesters who would vehemently oppose such a move. I don't know what young Anand's political leanings are, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that he's a college Republican type. You see, you don't have to be a conservative, liberal or a moderate to know B.S. when you see it. And there's a whole lot of B.S. swirling around Columbia, the Ivy League, and the university world in general these days.
I do disagree with Anand's minor criticisms of Norries Wilson and some of his other opinions in this particular piece, but in general I think this kid has a good head on his shoulders and is a credit to his graduating class.
posted by Jake @ 8:50:00 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
NW was right in going off at Penn and deserves our support. Everybody who loves Columbia sports should be writing to Bollinger irght now demanding new athletic facilities. PS, why is only half of the Kluge gift going to financial aid at the college? What about that cyptic announcemnt that the other half is being negotiated?
Actually, the tentative plans for the Manhattanville campus do include a new gym.
The two images at the bottom of this page show an above-ground recreational building and a larger below-ground space (that I believe is slated to be a new aquatic center: http://neighbors.columbia.edu/pages/manplanning/proposed_plan/designGoals.html
For obvious historical reasons, the administration is keeping this aspect of the project quiet until the zoning approvals come through, which is fine by me.
Here's a shorter version of that address:
http://tinyurl.com/2xmaus
Thanks Literary Lion! For obvious reasons, I remain a little skeptical about the gym plans, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong. But Columbia should follow Anand's advice and NOT LISTEN to people protesting the expansion anymore.
Having been around for the previous attempt to use public land for a gym, but having no other credentials, I'd be shocked if the city and community leaders would approve condemnation of private property for an athletic facility. How I wish I'm out-of-date!
If they want to make it happen, I strongly suggest the Columbia administrators get this thing finalized before Mike Bloomberg leaves office. Bloomberg has been very effective at keeping potential B.S. controversies from becoming media sensations. This is something he does much better than Giuliani, he loved a good fight a little too much. Bloomberg is just as effective without all the bad feelings and phony P.R. In '68, NYC was "led" by John Lindsay, who had few talents.
The old gym was announced in 1963 but lethargic fundraising and an incompetent administration caused the 5 year delay, which led to the crazies latching onto it as an issue in annus horribilis (1968). Look at an issue of CCT for the Fall of 1963--it's all there. Why we let the lowest common denominators call the shots is beyond me.
Where is the list of recruits? May 1 has come and gone, and Yale and Dartmouth have both posted. We are crying out for this information! Pleas, Jake, use your enormous clout and in terroram influence to get it posted.
I'm sure our list is coming very soon. We have a lot more names than the other schools, so there is more work to do. 135 days until kickoff! We have to have patience.
Although I am in full agreement about the need for a real gym, I'm more than tired of hearing/reading complaints about the past. It is very difficult to implement change. There is, however, presently evidence of positive change. Let's build on that, and let's demand greater improvements, but let's stop whining about the past. Also, the criticisms of Wilson for the matter at Penn seems off base, and the claim that Murphy is a bull in a china shop is just silly.
-Dr.V
Dr. V:
I very much agree. My only point would be to say that the mistakes of the past can be a great guide to help us avoid the same problems today. If Columbia is seriously planning to build a real gym in Manhattanville, it should just do so and not give in to radical elements who would rather burn the University down than contribute to anything.
We may be past May 1 but that doesn't mean the first year football roster is final yet. Negotiations over financial aid packages nowadays keep some kids, athletes or otherwise, from committing until after May 1.
I know the College says Charlow's absence won't affect day to day financial aid operations, but I can't help but think it must.
Leonidas
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