BY JILL D’AMICO

On March 6, Polytechnic University’s Board of Trustees voted “with an overwhelming majority” to merge with Manhattan’s New York University.

“This momentous affiliation will make New York a leading technological center for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth,” said Polytechnic Board Chairman Craig G. Matthews. “It will yield huge benefits for faculty by increasing research and collaboration, and will expand interdisciplinary resources and programs for our students globally.” Mr. Matthews is a past Board Chair of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

“Our Polytechnic community – the faculty, students, staff, and alumni – is very excited about the new opportunities this dynamic partnership will provide. This perfect fit between two great universities will preserve and enhance Polytechnic’s commitment to top-tier technology education and research, to the economic vitality of New York City and to our students’ ability to compete in the 21st century global economy,” said President Jerry M. Hultin.

“We at NYU are delighted by the outcome of today’s vote by the Board of Polytechnic University. This is an auspicious day for both venerable New York institutions of higher learning,” said NYU Provost David McLaughlin.

The vote officially approved a Definitive Agreement both schools created last year, which has the long-term goal of Downtown Brooklyn's Polytechnic becoming NYU’s School of Engineering. NYU abandoned its own school of engineering in the 1970s during a fiscal crisis and has been trying to find a way back to a growing field in recent years as its cachet has steadily risen. Polytechnic is highly regarded for the advancements its students have made in the science and engineering fields, but is looking to make a bigger name for itself nationally.

Combining forces, both schools and a recent report by the Center for an Urban Future said, would be tantamount to giving New York City the chance of a lifetime – to establish itself as a center of technological advancement, something surprisingly lacking in a city full of high achievers.

On Feb. 26, the New York University Board of Trustees authorized President John Sexton and Board Chairman Martin Lipton to pursue a merger with Polytechnic University.

The merger still requires approval from New York State regulatory agencies before it can become a done deal. The New York State Board of Regents will decide on the matter in late spring.

In addition, New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, chairman of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, announced last month that he was investigating potential ethical and legal concerns raised by some of Polytechnic’s trustees and alumni. The New York Times reported that the senator hoped to conclude his investigation within the next 10 days.

“The ‘due diligence’ process – which involves the careful review of all pertinent financial and operational information – is continuing. When that is completed, the chair of NYU’s Board of Trustees, Martin Lipton, and NYU’s president, John Sexton, as authorized last week by NYU’s Board of Trustees, will sign the ‘definitive agreement’ that the Poly Board voted in favor of today,” said Mr. McLaughlin in a statement.

Pictured above: The Polytechnic University campus in Downtown Brooklyn.