General Studies Lounge

The Director of The Arts Initiative at Columbia University, Gregory Mosher, is advocating that the University include a Media Center on the SE edge of the West Harlem expansion site. This page is devoted to why I feel that this is the best possible use of the space and an exceptionally progressive idea. This center could realize our goal of community-building - real community-building, not lip service. This could bring students from each of the schools together with each other, with the members of the West Harlem community as well as the larger NYC community - in and through the arts.

What: A multi-leveled film and new media center. This facility would be a multi-purpose space for university, community and independent film and film festivals. It could also be used for community meetings and student group meetings. The facility would include at least four screening rooms (that can double as meeting space) and a cafe with free wifi.

Where: The location is suggested to be located on the triangular plot at 125th and Broadway. This site is the southeastern most (yellow) building on the plans. With an odd shape, but a premium location - closest to the 125th Street stop on the 1 train, what Columbia chooses to place at that site will tell the community what we value.

Who: You! Whether you are a GS, CC, SEAS, Barnard, Law, B-School (you get the picture) student, alumni, CU neighbor, cool kid from the East Village, Wall Street tycoon, or Lizzie's sister from Berkely, CA - you are welcome at this center! It will have such a variety of films/media that there will be something for everyone! Student and community groups coud use the space, and some area film festivals:

• Through Her Eyes: Women of Color Film Festival
• The 14th New York African Film Festival
• African Diaspora Film Festival
• Havana Film Festival New York
• Imagenation
• New York Underground Film Festival
• Native American Film + Video Festival
• The National Undergraduate Film Festival of Columbia University
• The New York Asian Film Festival
• The 30^th Asian American International Film Festival
• The 7th Annual New York International Latino Film Festival
• Human Rights Watch's International Film Festival

(This list is by no means exhaustive, nor have any of the festivals above been committed as the site has not been approved)

Why: I'm from LA (where no one walks), but I could walk to two awesome independent theatres from my apartment in under 10 minutes! It's pitiful that I've moved to Manhattan and now I'm deprived. Enough of me, this area (UWS, Morningside Heights, West Harlem) needs something like this! Lincoln Center cannot have the closest indie theater - but it does!

What now? We have to ask ourselves, what is best for our school and our community now and 50 years from now. As Columbians, what message do we send to our neighbors, to each other, and to the rest of the world? More importantly, what message do we want to send. If you think this center is a great idea and needs to happen - comment now! Even if you don't, please share your feedback! I will share this link with President Bollinger and Gregory Mosher to help them gauge student response.

If you have any questions about this proposal, please contact Chad Miller, Events and Outreach Manager of the Arts Initiative: cam2015@columbia.edu.

Thanks, all and have a great summer!!