Students and alumni at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering are protesting the change of the university's name in "honor of the donors of a $100 million gift," Inside Higher Ed reported.
Last week, school officials announced they were changing the name of the Brooklyn-based to the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in recognition of the Tandons' generosity and "their belief in the school's mission and promise." However, more than 1,200 students decided to show their gratitude by signing a petition to stop the renaming of the engineering school.
"The name of our university and its reputation are a source of great pride, to students and faculty alike. Changing this name to include that of a benefactor, would hinder both personal pride and reputation," the Change.org petition states.
According to Inside Higher Ed, students are upset that they weren't consulted about the name change and they "don't like the idea that their institution's history is being ignored."
"During the past 161 academic years as an established university, the New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering has undergone five significant changes to its reputable name. We, the student body and faculty, protest the changing of the university's name for any reason," the Change.org petition states.
School officials have indicated that they are sticking with the name change.
The $100 million gift - which will principally support faculty hiring and academic programs - is intended to build on the engineering school's existing practice of cross-disciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship and achieve new levels of academic excellence in engineering.
